6:30 PM Divine Liturgy Thanksgiving from Nataliya Hreshko
7:45 PM Firepit Social
Saturday, Jan. 21 – Maximus the Confessor, Venerable
5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Reader Vespers
Sunday, Jan. 22 – Sunday of Zaccheus
8:30 AM Matins
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
12:00 PM Cantor Class
*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, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s
WEEKLY DEPOSIT
Collection: $1,169.00; Candles: $72.10; Online: $30.00; Santa Paula: $485.00; Holydays: $130.00; Church Improvements: $100.00; Initial Offering: $5.00
Total: $2,021.10 / Attendance- PSM: 74
Tetrapod
Along with the three holy tables that occupy the Holy Place, there is a fourth table used in the Byzantine Temple used during the liturgy. The Tetrapod (“four legs”) is often found front and center in the nave (the part of the Temple where the faithful gather). It is usually the throne for an icon of the feast, season or patron of the parish. This table will also hold the litija tray (holding the bread, wheat, wine, and oil to be blessed on vigils) during festal vespers, items to be blessed, the gospel and crown during a wedding etc. One of the reasons for this table’s central placement is so that the faithful can venerate it on the way in and out of the Temple, and before they receive Communion.
God With Us Presents Lifting the Veil
God With Us is hosting a live webinar series on the mystical understanding of the Divine Liturgy beginning Wednesday, January 11 through the 25th at 5pm PT. “The Divine Liturgy makes present the events of salvation history and allows us to participate in the worship of God along with the whole cosmos. In this series, guided by Scripture and saints such as Maximos the Confessor and Symeon of Thessaloniki, we will explore the Church’s mystical interpretation of the Divine Liturgy and how it draws us to participate in the entirety of salvation.”
“…even the little dogs eat the crumbs from their masters’ table.” Today’s encounter between the Canaanite woman and our Lord shows us what hunger for salvation looks like. The entire world seeks fulfillment that comes to us through union with God. Is He calling you to serve and show this mystical reality by serving as a monk or nun, or through a life in the holy orders? Reach out to the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
There were two occasions when the monks and hermits of Sinai and Raitho were murdered by the barbarians. The first took place in 312 when forty Fathers were killed at Mt. Sinai, and thirty-nine were slain at Raitho the same day. The second massacre occurred nearly a hundred years later.
Troparion
God of our father, You always deal with us in Your kindness. Take not Your mercy away from us; but through their prayer guide our life in peace.
Kontakion
You fled the fury of the world and found for yourselves a calm haven. You were crowned with martyrs’ blood by the yoke of fasting; for this you have been admitted into the company of martyrs and monks.
Epistle
Colossians 1: 3-6
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the holy ones at Colossae, faithful brothers in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.
We always give thanks to God, the Father our Lord Jesus Christ in our prayers for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you bear toward all the saints – moved as you are by the hope held in store for you in heaven. You heard of this hope through the message of truth, the gospel, which has to come to you, has borne fruit, and has continued to grow in your midst, as it has everywhere in the world. This has been the case from the day you first heard it and comprehended God’s gracious intention.
Gospel
Matthew 25: 1-13
The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God can be likened to ten brides-maids who took their torches and went out to welcome the groom. Five of them were foolish, while the other five were sensible. The foolish ones, in taking their torches, brought no oil along, but the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their torches. The groom delayed his arrival, so they all began to nod, then to fall asleep. At midnight someone shouted, ‘The groom is here! Come out and greet him!’ At the outcry all the virgins woke up and got their torches ready. The foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil. Our torches are going out.’ But the sensible ones replied, ‘No, there may not be enough for you and us. You had better go to the dealers and buy yourselves some.’ While they went off to buy it the groom arrived, and the ones who were ready went in to the wedding with him. Then the door was barred. Later the other bridesmaids came back. ‘Master, master!’ they cried. ‘Open the door for us.’ But he answered, ‘I tell you, I do not know you.’ The moral is: keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour [when the Son of Man will come.]”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
The Emperor Licinius raised a great persecution of Christians. St. Hermolaus, a Christian and a deacon in the Church, was arrested and brought to trial. When Hermolaus was informed that he was being led away to be tortured, he greatly rejoiced. In vain did the emperor threaten him. Hermolaus openly confessed his faith in Christ, and responded to all the threats of the emperor saying: The Lord is with me; I fear not; What can man do against me? (psalm 118:6). Following excruciating tortures, Hermolaus was thrown into a dungeon. The guard was Strantonicus, a secret Christian, who sympathized with the suffering of Hermolaus with all his heart. When it was reported to the emperor that Stratonicus was also a Christian, the emperor ordered that both of them be drowned in the Danube River. Then the executioners tied Hermolaus and Stratonicus in a net, and both were drowned. Three days later, their bodies washed ashore. Christians discovered their bodies and buried them about eighteen miles from Belgrade in the year 315.
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 martyrs, you both met a blessed end in water and drowned the devil by the grace of God. You have received crowns of triumph for this and have been admitted to angelic choirs. Now remember those who honor you.
Readings for the fathers
Epistle
Romans 8:28-39
Brothers & sisters: We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his decree. Those whom he foreknew he predestined to share the image of his Son, that the Son might be the first-born of many brothers. Those he predestined he likewise called; those he called he also justified; and those he justified he in turn glorified. What shall we say after that? If God is for us, who can be against us? Is it possible that he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides? Who shall bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? God, who justifies? Who shall condemn them? Christ Jesus, who died or rather was raised up, who is at the right hand of God and who intercedes for us?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? As Scripture says: “For your sake we are being slain all the day long; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.” Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us. For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel
Luke 6:17-23
At that time, coming down the mountain with the twelve, Jesus stopped at a level stretch where there were many of his disciples; a large crowd of people was with them from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon, people who came to hear him and be healed of this diseases. Those who were troubles with unclean spirits were cured; indeed, the whole crowd was trying to touch him because power went out from him which cured all.
Then, raising his eyes to his disciples, he said: “Blest are you poor, the reign of God is yours. Blest are you who hunger; you shall be filled. Blest are you who are weeping; you shall laugh. Blest shall you be when men hate you, and proscribe your name as evil because of the Son of Man. On the day they do so, rejoice and exult, for your reward shall be great in heaven.”
Readings for the day
Epistle
1 Peter 1: 1-2, 10-12; 2: 6-10
Peter, and apostle to Jesus Christ, to those who live as strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Sithynia; to men chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, consecrated by the Spirit to a life of obedience to Jesus Christ and purification with his blood. Favor and peace be yours in abundance.
This is the salvation which the prophets carefully searched out and examined. They prophesied the divine favor that was destined to be yours. They investigated the times and the circumstances which the Spirit of Christ within them was pointing to, for he predicted the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories that would follow. They knew by revelation that they were providing, not for themselves but for you, what has now been proclaimed to you by those who preach the gospel to you, in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these matters angels long to search.
For Scripture has it: “See, I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, an approved stone, and precious. He who puts his faith in it shall not be shaken.” The stone is of value for you who have faith. For those without faith, it is rather, [as Scripture also says] “A stone which the builders rejected that became a cornerstone.”
It is likewise “an obstacle and a stumbling stone.” Those who stumble and fall are the disbelievers in God’s word; it belongs to their destiny to do so. You, however, are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people he claims for his own to proclaim the glorious works” of the One who called you from darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people; once there was no mercy for you, but now you have found mercy.
Gospel
Mark 13: 1-8
At that time as Jesus was making his way out of the temple area, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look at the huge blocks of stone and the enormous building!” Jesus said to him, “You see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another– all will be torn down.” While he was seated on the Mount of Olives facing the temple, Peter, James, and Andrew began to question him privately. “Tell us, when will this occur? What will be the sign that all this is coming to an end?”
Jesus began his discourse: “Be on your guard. Let no one mislead you. Any number will come attempting to impersonate me. ‘I am he,’ they will claim, and will lead many astray. When you hear about wars and threats of war, do not yield to panic. Such things are bound to happen, but this is not yet the end. Nation will rise against nation, one kingdom against another. There will be earthquakes in various places and there will be famine. This is but the onset of the pains of labor.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
The holy martyr Tatiana was a Roman whose parents were from the nobility. She was a Christian and a deaconess in the church. After the death of Emperor Heliogabalus, there reigned the Emperor Alexander, whose mother, Mammaea, was a Christian. Alexander himself was wavering and indecisive in his faith, for he kept statues of Christ, Apollo, Abraham, and Orpheus in his palace. His chief assistants took it upon themselves to persecute Christians without orders from the emperor. When they brought out the virgin Tatiana for torture, she prayed to God for her torturers, and their eyes were opened. They saw four angels around the martyr. Seeing this, eight of them believed in Christ, for which they were also then tortured and slain. Tatiana was martyred around the year 227.
Troparion
O Jesus, your lamb Tatiana cries out to You with great love. O my Bridegroom, I long for You in great pain. I am crucified with You, and in baptism I am buried with You. I suffer for your sake in order to reign with You. I die for You in order to live in You. Accept me as an immaculate victim since I am immolated for your love. Through her intercession, O merciful One, save our souls.
Kontakion
You shone in glory and were stained in your own blood, and like a beautiful bird you soared to heaven. O martyr Tatiana, pray for those who honor you.
Epistle
James 4: 7- 5:9
Brothers and sisters: Submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you backsliders. Begin to lament, to mourn, and to weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into sorrow. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and he will raise you on high.
Do not, my brothers and sisters, speak ill of one another. The one who speaks ill of his brother or judges his brother is speaking against the law. It is the law he judges. If, however, you judge the law you are no observer of the law, you are its judge. There is but one Lawgiver and Judge, one who can save and destroy. Who are you to judge your neighbor?
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we shall go to such and such a town, spend a year there, trade, and come off with a profit!” You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears briefly and vanishes. Instead of saying, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that,” all you can do is make arrogant and pretentious claims. All such boasting is reprehensible. When a man knows the right thing to do and does not do it, he sins.
As for you, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted, your fine wardrobe has grown moth-eaten, your gold and silver has corroded, and their corrosion shall be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. See what you have stored up for yourselves against the last days. Here, crying aloud, are the wages you withheld from the farmhands who harvested your fields. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You lived in wanton luxury on the earth; you fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You condemned, even killed, the just man; he does not resist you.
Be patient, therefore, my brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil. He looks forward to it patiently while the solid receives the winter and spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Steady your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, my brothers and sisters, lest you be condemned. See! The judge stands at the gate.
Gospel
Mark 12: 38-44
The Lord said: “Be on guard against the scribes, who like to parade around in their robes and accept marks of respect in public, front seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. These men devour the savings of widows and recite long prayers for appearance’ sake; it is they who will receive the severest sentence.”
Taking a seat opposite a treasury, Jesus observed the crowd putting money into the collection box. Many of the wealthy put in sizable amounts; but one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins worth a few cents. Jesus called his disciples over and told them: “I want you to observe that this poor widow contributed more than all the others who donated to the treasury. They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave from her want, all that she had to live on.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Our venerable father Theodosius, founder of the Common Life, lived during the fifth and sixth centuries, and was the founder of cenobitic monasticism. He was born in Cappadocia to pious parents. Endowed with a splendid voice, he zealously toiled at church readings and singing. Yearning for a solitary life, St. Theodosius settled in Palestine into a desolate cave, in which, according to tradition, the three Magi had spent the night, having come to worship the Savior after his Nativity. He lived there for thirty years in great abstinence and unceasing prayer. People flocked to the ascetic, wishing to live under his guidance. When the cave could no longer hold all the monks, St. Theodosius prayed that the Lord Himself would indicate a place for the monks. Taking the censer with cold charcoal and incense, the monk started walking into the desert. At a certain spot the charcoal ignited by itself and the incense smoke began to rise. Here the monk established the first cenobitic monastery or Lavra. Soon the Lavra of St. Theodosius became renowned, and up to 700 monks gathered there. Before his death, St. Theodosius summoned to him three beloved bishops and revealed to them that he would soon depart for the Lord. After three days, he died at the age of 105 (in the year 529). The saint’s body was buried with reverence in the cave in which he lived at the beginning of his ascetic life.
Troparion
Your abundant tears made the wilderness bloom, and your sufferings made your labors fruitful a hundredfold; you became a shining torch over the world. O venerable Father Theodosius, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Kontakion
You were planted in the courts of your Lord and blossomed forth with beautiful and admirable virtues, O master of God’s holy sheepfold. You multiplied your children in the wilderness and quenched their thirst with your abundant tears. Therefore we cry out: Rejoice O father Theodosius.
Readings for Theodosius
Epistle
2 Corinthians 4: 6-15
Brothers and sisters: God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts, that we in turn might make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ. This treasure we possess in earthen vessels to make it clear that its surpassing power comes from God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way possible, but we are not crushed; full of doubts, we never despair. We are persecuted but never abandoned; we are struck down but never destroyed. Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may also be revealed. While we live we are constantly being delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. Death is at work in us, but life in you. We have that spirit of faith of which the Scripture says, “Because I believed, I spoke out.” We believe and so we speak, knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up along with Jesus and place both us and you in his presence. Indeed, everything is ordered to your benefit, so that the grace bestowed in abundance may bring greater glory to God because they who give thanks are many.
Gospel
Matthew 11: 27-30
The Lord said to his disciples: “everything has been given over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son– and anyone whom the Son wished to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
Readings for the day
Epistle
James 3:11 – 4:6
Brothers and sisters: Does a spring gush forth fresh water and foul from the same outlet? A fig tree, brothers and sisters, cannot produce olives, or a grapevine figs; no more can a brackish source yield fresh water.
If one of you is wise and understanding, let him show this in practice through a humility filled with good sense. Should you instead nurse bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, at least refrain from arrogant and false claims against the truth. Wisdom like this does not come from above. It is earthbound, a kind of animal, even devilish, cunning. Where there are jealousy and strife, there also are inconstancy and all kinds of vile behavior. Wisdom from above, by contrast, is first of all innocent. It is peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy, and kindly in deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.
Where do the conflicts and disputes among you originate? Is it not your inner cravings that make you war within your members? What you desire you do not obtain, and so you resort to murder. You envy and you cannot acquire, so you quarrel and fight. You do not obtain because you do not ask. You ask and you do not receive because you ask wrongly, with a view to squandering what you receive on your pleasures. O you unfaithful ones, are you not aware that love of the world is enmity to God? A man is marked out as God’s enemy if he chooses to be the world’s friend. Do you suppose it is to no purpose that Scripture says, “The spirit ha has implanted in us tends toward jealousy”? Yet he bestows a greater gift, for the sake of which it is written, “God resists the proud but bestows his favor on the lowly.”
Gospel
Matthew 12: 28-37
At that time one of the scribes came up, and when he heard the Pharisees and Sadducees arguing he realized how skillfully Jesus answered them. He decided to ask Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied: “This is the first: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! Therefore you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the second, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him: “Excellent Teacher! You are right in saying, ‘He is the One, there is no other than he.’ Yes, ‘to love him with all our heart, with all our thoughts and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves’ is worth more than any burnt offering or sacrifice.” Jesus approved the insight of this answer and told him, “You are not far from the reign of God.” And no one had the courage to ask him any more questions.
As Jesus was teaching in the temple precincts he went on to say: “How can the scribes claim, ‘The Messiah is David’s son’? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’ If David himself addresses him as ‘Lord,’ in what sense can he be his son?” The majority of the crowd heard this with delight.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Our holy father Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, brother of St. Basil the Great, one of the great theologians of the Byzantine Church (c. 395)
The venerable Dometian, Bishop of Melitene,who lived under Emperors Justinian the Lesser and Maurice. He was known for his remarkable intelligence, prudence, and spiritual zeal, and for his love of the poor. (602)
Our venerable father Marcian,priest and treasurer of the Great Church in Constantinople, second in command to Patriarch Gennadius. (c. 471)
Troparion
God of our fathers, You always deal with us according to Your everlasting compassion. Take not Your mercy away from us; but through their prayers guide our life in peace.
Kontakion – Gregory
That heavenly hierarch of the Church and precious mystic orator of Wisdom, that vigilant mind, Greogory of Nyssa, sings praises along with the angels and finds delight in the Light divine. He now prays unceasingly for all of us.
Kontakion – Marcian
You were anointed with the divine priesthood, and you showed this by virtue and obedience to Christ. Having finished your course, O Father, you sing with the angels in heaven: Glory to your compassion, O Savior! Glory to your kingdom! Glory to your providence, O Lover of Humankind!
Readings for St. Gregory
Epistle
1 Corinthians 12: 7-11
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.
Gospel
Matthew 10: 1,5-8
Then He summoned His twelve disciples and gave them the authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind.
Jesus sent these men on mission as the Twelve, after giving them the following instructions:
“Do not visit pagan territory and so not enter a Samaritan town. Go instead after the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this announcement, ‘The reign of God is at hand! Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons. The gift you have received, give as a gift.”
Readings for the day
Epistle
James 3: 1-10
Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers; you should realize that those of us who do so will be called to the stricter account. All of us fall short in many respects. If a person is without fault in speech he is a man in the fullest sense, because he can control his entire body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, guide the rest of their bodies. It is the same with ships: however large they are, and despite the fact that they are driven by fierce winds, they are directed by very small rudders on whatever course the streerman’s impulse may select. The tongue is something like that. It is a small member, yet it makes great pretensions.
See how tiny the spark is that sets a huge forest ablaze! The tongue is such a flame. It exists among our members as a whole universe of malice. The tongue defiles the entire body. Its flames encircle our course from birth, and its fire is kindled by hell. Every form of life, four-footed or winged, crawling or swimming, can be tamed, and has been tamed, by mankind; the tongue no man can tame. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We use it to say, “Praised be the Lord and Father”; then we use it to curse men, though they are made in the likeness of God. Blessing and curse come out of the same mouth. This ought not to be, my brothers and sisters!
Gospel
Mark 12: 18-27
At that time some Sadducees who hold there is no resurrection came to Jesus with a question: “Teacher, we were left this in writing by Moses: ‘If anyone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and produce offspring for his brother.’ There were seven brothers. The eldest took a wife and died, leaving no children. The second took the woman, and he too died childless. The same happened to the third; in fact none of the seven left any children behind. Last of all the woman died. At the resurrection, when all come back to life, whose wife will she be? All seven married her.” Jesus said: “You are badly misled, because you fail to understand the Scriptures or the power of God. When people rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but live like angels in heaven. As to the raising of the dead, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob’? He is the God of the living not of the dead. You are very much mistaken.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
The holy martyr Polyeuctus:The Armenian city of Melitene was drenched with the blood of Christians, as was the entire country of Armenia. The first blood shed for Christ in this city was that of St. Polyeuctus in the year 259, during the reign of Valerian. In Melitene were two friends: Nearchus and Polyeuctus. Both were officers- Nearchus was baptized and Polyeuctus was unbaptized. When the command of the emperor was sent out concerning the persecution of Christians, Nearchus prepared for death; but he was in great sorrow because he had not succeeded in converting his friend Polyeuctus to the true Faith. When Polyeuctus learned of the reason for Nearchus’s sorrow, he promised to embrace the Faith. The following day Polyeuctus related this dream to Nearchus: the Lord Himself had appeared to him in light, removed Polyeuctus’s old clothes from him and dressed him in radiant new clothes – and sat him in the saddle of a winged horse. After this, Polyeuctus went to town, shredded the emperor’s decree concerning the torturing of Christians, and destroyed many statues of idols. He was tortured and condemned to death. When he was brought to the place of execution, he looked at Nearchus in the throng of people and joyfully cried out to him: “Save yourself, my dear friend! Remember the vow of love confirmed between the two of us!” later, St. Nearchus died by fire as a martyr for Christ.
Troparion
Your martyr Polyuectus, 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
When our Savior bowed His head in the Jordan River, the heads of the serpents were crushed, and when Polyeuctus was beheaded, he put demons to shame.
Epistle
James 2: 14-26
Brothers and sisters, what good is it to profess faith without practicing it? Such faith has no power to save one, has it? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day, and you say to them, “Goodbye and good luck! Keep warm and well fed,” but do not meet their bodily needs, what good is that? So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless.
To such a person one might say, “You have faith and I have work– is that it?” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you the faith that underlies my works! Do you believe that God is one? You are quite right. The demons believe that, and shudder. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that without works faith is idle? Was not out father Abraham justified by his works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? There you see proof that faith was both assisting his works and implemented by his works. You also see how the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as justice”: for this he received the title “God’s friend.”
You must perceive that a person is justified by his works and not by faith alone. Rahab the harlot will illustrate the point. Was she not justified by her works when she harbored the messengers and sent them out by a different route? Be assured, then, that faith without works is as dead as a body without breath.
Gospel
Mark 12: 13-17
At that time the chief priests, the scribes, and elders sent some Pharisees and Herodians after Jesus to catch him in his speech. The two groups came and said to him: “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man, unconcerned about anyone’s opinion. It is evident you do not act out of human respect but teach God’s way of life sincerely. Is it lawful to pay the tax to the emperor or not? Are we to pay or not to pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy Jesus said to them, “Why are you trying to trip me up? Bring me a coin and let me see it.” When they brought one, he said to them, “Whose head is this and whose inscription is it?” “Caesar’s,” they told him. At that Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give to God what is God’s.” Their amazement at him knew no bounds.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Our venerable father George the Chozebite was a Cypriot monk at the Monastery of the Mother of God at Chozeba near Jericho (614)
Our venerable father Emilian the Confessor was a native of Vannes, in what is now France. He was a recluse (767)
Our venerable mother Dominica, born in Carthage in North Africa, lived a life of asceticism and died in Constantinople under the reign of the Emperor Zenon in 474.
Troparion – Venerable Fathers
Come, O people and piously honor the memory of George. Sing praises for his wonderful fasting and praise Emilian for his teachings. Let us sing out: Save our souls, O Christ, through the intercession of these holy monks.
Troparion – Dominica
In you, O mother, 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 Dominica, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion – Venerable Fathers
O George, you have become a brilliant source of light, enlighten all those who come to you in faith. Intercede for us with Christ our God who appeared in flowing waters and enlightened all of us.
Kontakion – Dominica
O Dominica, you crucified the flesh with your suffering, and your love for Christ was sure and constant. For this you have been crowned and admitted to the choirs of angels. Pray now for all those who venerate you, O mother.
Epistle
Ephesians 4: 7-13
Brothers and sisters: Each of us has received God’s favor in the measure in which Christ bestows it. Thus you find Scripture saying: “When He ascended on high, he took a host of captives and gave gifts to men.” “He ascended”- what does this mean but that he had first descended into the lower regions of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended above the heavens, that he might fill all men with his gifts.
It is He who gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ, till we become one in faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, and form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature.
Gospel
Matthew 4: 12-17
At that time when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went down to line in Capernaum by the sea near the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill what had been said through Isaiah the prophet: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali along the sea beyond the Jordan, heathen Galilee: A people living in darkness has seen a great light. On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.” From that time on Jesus began to proclaim this theme: “Reform your lives! The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirley Kunze, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr, John Mina, Mila Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s
Along with the Royal Doors that occupy the center of the Iconostasis, and are used exclusively by bishops and priests (when they represent Christ the High Priest), every temple icon screen has two other doors that occupy the space between the central icons and those on the periphery. These doors are called the Deacon Doors. They allow access to the altar area by the deacons and servers. These doors usually contain icons of deacon-saints like Stephen and Lawrence, or angels (whom the deacons represent in the Divine Liturgy). These doors remain closed except when they are being used or during Bright Week when all the doors are left open revealing Christ’s access-gifting Resurrection.
God With Us Presents Lifting the Veil
God With Us is hosting a live webinar series on the mystical understanding of the Divine Liturgy beginning Wednesday, January 11 through the 25th at 5pm PT. “The Divine Liturgy makes present the events of salvation history and allows us to participate in the worship of God along with the whole cosmos. In this series, guided by Scripture and saints such as Maximos the Confessor and Symeon of Thessaloniki, we will explore the Church’s mystical interpretation of the Divine Liturgy and how it draws us to participate in the entirety of salvation.”
“The people who sat in darkness saw a great light.” The Unapproachable Light of Christ showed himself to us. Our Lord may be calling you to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life. If this may be the case, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org
Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: A “synaxis” feast follows one of the great feasts, and highlights a major personage of yesterday’s celebration. We remember today the work of the Forerunner, John, who baptized Christ.
Troparion
The memory of the righteous is celebrated with praise, but for you, O Forerunner, the Lord’s testimony is enough. You were shown to be more honorable than the prophets since you were deemed worthy to baptize in waters the Lord you had proclaimed. Therefore, you fought for the truth, and with joy proclaimed the good news to those in Hades, that God has appeared in the flesh to take away the sins of the world and to grant us great mercy.
Kontakion
O Lord, before Your presence in the flesh, the Jordan River trembled and reversed its course out of fear. Struck with awe. John hesitated to perform upon You the baptism foretold by the prophets. The ranks of angels were rapt in wonder when they saw You being baptized in the flesh. All those in darkness received illumination and sang a hymn of praise to You, O Lord; for You appeared and shed Your light upon the whole world.
Epistle
Acts 19:1-8
In those days, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples to whom he put the question, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered, “We have not so much as heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Well, how were you baptized?” he persisted. They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then explained, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He used to tell the people about the one who would come after him in whom they were to believe- that is Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies. There were in the company about twelve men in all. Paul entered the synagogue, and over a period of three months debated fearlessly, with persuasive arguments, about the kingdom of God.
Gospel
John 1: 29-34
At that time John the Baptizer caught sight of Jesus coming toward him and he exclaimed: “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! It is he of whom I said: ‘After me is to come a man who ranks ahead of me, because he was before me.’ I confess I did not recognize him, though the very reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
John gave this testimony also: “I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from the sky, and it came to rest on him. But I did not recognize him. The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘When you see the Spirit descend and rest on someone, it is he who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen for myself and have testified, ‘This is God’s chosen One.’”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
