Blog - Page 93 of 165 - St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church

April 4 Our Venerable Fathers Joseph the Hymnographer and George of Maleon

Our venerable father Joseph the Hymnographer, priest, who, was a monk, when the destroyers of holy icons were raging in the later part of the 9th century, was sent to Rome to seek the protection of the Apostolic See, and, after he had been afflicted with many trials, finally took custody of the holy vessels of the Church of Holy Wisdom.

Our venerable father George of Maleon lived during the 9th century. His parents arranged a marriage for him, but he refused to marry the woman they had chosen. Instead, he entered the monastery on Maleon in the Peloponnesus, and many disciples gathered around him. He was able to see the future and predicted his death three years before it occurred. In service to him, St. George is called an earthly angel and a wonderworker.

Troparion

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

Kontakion – Joseph

You are a never-ending fountain of lasting penance, an unending river of comfort, and a depth of goodness, O Joseph. Give us tears of celestial repentance by which we might cry in seeking your help and find comfort from God through you, O holy one.

Kontakion – George

You sought to be a friend of Christ, and so you turned from worldly distraction. You lived like an angel on earth, O George. Therefore, we are in awe of your holy passing. Beg Christ our God to have mercy on us.

Readings for the day

Exodus 2: 5-10

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, because, she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

Job 1: 13-22

One day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the eldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell on them and carried them off, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, made a raid on the camels and carried them off, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

Matthew 24:36 – 26:2

The Lord said to his disciples: “As for the exact day or hour, no one knows it, neither angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father only. The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened in Noah’s time. In the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married, right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were totally unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal; one will be taken and one will be left. Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming.

“Be sure of this: if the owner of the house knew when the thief was coming he would keep a watchful eye and not allow his house to be broken into. You must be prepared in the same way. The Son of Man is coming at the time you least expect. Who is the faithful, farsighted servant whom the master has put in charge of his household to dispense food at need? Happy that servant whom his master discovers at work on his return! I assure you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if the servant is worthless and tells himself, ‘My master is a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, to eat and drink with drunkards, that man’s master will return when he is not ready and least expect him. He will punish him severely and settle with him as he is done with hypocrites. There will be wailing then and grinding of teeth.

“The reign of God can be likened to 10 bridesmaids 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, ‘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 into 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.

“The case of a man who is going on a journey is similar. He called in his servants and handed his funds over to them according to each man’s ability. To one he dispersed five thousand silver pieces, to a second two thousand, and to a third one thousand. Then he went away. Immediately the man who received the five thousand went to invest it and made another five. In the same way, the man who received two thousand doubled his figure. The man who received the thousand went off instead and dug a hole in the ground, where he buried his master’s money. After a long absence, the master of those servants came home and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five thousand came forward bringing the additional five. ‘My Lord,’ he said, ‘you let me have five thousand. See, I have made five thousand more.’ His master said to him ‘Well done! You are an industrious and reliable servant. Since you were dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share your master’s joy!’ The man who had received the two thousand then stepped forward, ‘My Lord,’ he said, ‘you and trusted me with two thousand and I have made two thousand more.’ His master said to him, ‘Cleverly done! You too are an industrious and reliable servant. Since you were dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share your master’s joy!’

“Finally the man who had received the thousand stepped forward. ‘My Lord,’ he said, ‘I knew you were a hard man. You reap where you did not sew and gather where you did not scatter, so out of fear I went off and buried your thousand silver pieces in the ground. Here is your money back. His master exclaimed: ‘You worthless, lazy lout! You know I reap where I did not sew and gather where I did not scatter. All the more reason to deposit my money with the bankers, so that on my return I could have it back with interest. You, there! Take the thousand away from him and give it to the man with the ten thousand. Those who have will get more until they grow rich, while those who have not will lose even the little they have. Throw this worthless servant into the darkness outside, where he can wail and gnash his teeth.’

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels of heaven, he will set upon his royal throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. Then he will separate them into two groups, as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The sheep he will place on his right hand, the goats on his left. The king will say to those on his right: ‘Come. You have my father‘s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the just will ask him: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you a drink? When did we welcome you away from home or clothe you in your nakedness? When did we visit you when you were ill or in prison?’ The king will answer them: ‘I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left: ‘Out of my sight, you condemned, into that everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. I was away from home and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing. I was ill and in prison and you did not come to comfort me.’ Then they in turn will ask: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or away from home or naked or ill or in prison and not attend you in your needs?’ He will answer them: ‘I assure you, as often as you neglected to do it to one of these least ones, you neglected to do it to me.’ These will go off to eternal punishment and the just to eternal life.”

Now when Jesus had finished all these discourses, he declared to his disciples, “You know that in two days’ time it will be Passover, and that the Son of Man is to be handed over to be crucified.”

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

April 03 Our Venerable Father and Confessor Nicetas, Hegumen of Medikon Monastery

Our venerable father Nicetas the Confessor was born in Bithynian Caesarea (northwest Asia Minor) to a pious family. His mother died eight days after his birth, and his father Philaretos became a monk. The child remained in the care of his grandmother, who raised him in a true Christian spirit. From his youth St. Nicetas attended church and was a disciple of the hermit Stephanos. With his blessing, St. Nicetas set off to the Mydicia monastery, where St. Nicephorus was the hegumen. After seven years of virtuous life at the monastery, famed for its strict monastic rule, St. Nicetas was ordained presbyter. St. Nicephorus, knowing the holy life of the young monk, entrusted to him the guidance of the monastery when he himself became ill. When St. Nicephorus departed to the Lord in his old age, the brethren unanimously chose St. Nicetas as hegumen. During these years under the emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820), the Iconoclast heresy resurfaced and oppression increased. Orthodox bishops were deposed and banished. At Constantinople a council of heretics was convened in 815. Enduring hunger and travail, St. Nicetas worked miracles by the power of his prayer: through his prayer the Phrygian ruler released two captives without ransom; three shipwrecked men for whom St. Nicetas prayed were thrown up on shore by the waves. St. Nicetas reposed in the Lord in the year 824.

Troparion

In you, O holy father Nicetas, the faithful image of God shone forth, for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away; and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

Kontakion

Acquiring a heavenly mind, you outdid the sun. By the light of your works you illumined those in the dark. You lead everyone to God, O father Nicetas; therefore, we ask you to pray unceasingly to God for all of us.

Readings for the day

Exodus 1: 1-20

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. The total number of people born to Jacob was seventy. Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers, and that whole generation. But the Israelites were fruitful and prolific; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong.

Job 1: 1-12

There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and very many servants; so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold feasts in one another’s houses in turn; and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the feast days had run their course, Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” This is what Job always did.

One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Matthew 24: 3-35

At that time while Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came up to him privately and said: “Tell us, when will all this [destruction of the temple buildings] occur? What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the world?” In reply Jesus said to them: “Be on guard! Let no one mislead you. Many will come attempting to impersonate me. ‘I am the Messiah!’ they will claim, and they will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Do not be alarmed. Such things are bound to happen, but that is not yet the end. Nation will rise against nation, one kingdom against another. There will be famine and pestilence and earthquakes in many places. These are the early stages of the birth pangs. They will hand you over to torture and kill you. Indeed, you will be hated by all nations on my account. Many will falter then, betraying and hating one another. False prophets will rise in great numbers to mislead many. Because of the increase of evil, the love of most will grow cold. The man who holds out to the end, however, is the one who will see salvation. This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a witness to all the nations. Only after that will the end come.

“When you see the abominable and destructive thing which the prophet Daniel foretold standing on holy ground those in Judea must flee to the mountains. If a man is on the roof terrace, he must not come down to get anything out of his house. If a man is in the field, he must not turn back to pick up his cloak. It will be hard on pregnant and nursing mothers in those days. Keep praying that you will not have to fall in winter or on a sabbath, for those days will be more filled with anguish than any form the beginning of the world until now or in all ages to come. Indeed, if the period had not been shortened, not a human being would be saved. For the sake of the chosen, however, the days will be shortened. If anyone tells you at that time, ‘Look, the Messiah is here,’ or if they say, ‘He is there,’ do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear, performing signs and wonders so great as to mislead even the chosen if that were possible. Remember, I have told you all about it before-hand; so if they tell you, ‘Look, he is in the desert,’ do not go out there; or if they say ‘He is in the innermost rooms,’ do not believe it. As the lightning from the east flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Where the carcass lies, there the vultures gather.

“Immediately after the stress of that period, ‘the sun will be darkened, the moon will not shed her light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the hosts of heaven will be shaken loose.’ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and ‘all the clans of the earth will strike their breasts’ as they see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory. He will dispatch his angels ‘with a mighty trumpet blast, and they will assemble his chosen from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.’ From the fig tree learn a lesson. When its branch grows tender and sprouts leaves, you realize that summer is near. Likewise, when you see all these things happening, you will know that he is near, standing at your door. I assure you, the present generation will not pass away until all this takes place. The heavens and the earth will pass away but my words will not pass.”

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

April 02 Our Venerable Father Titus the Wonder-worker

From his youth, our venerable father Titus loved Christ the Lord and detested the vanities of the world. Because of this, he retreated from the world, entered a monastery and received the angelic habit. Without regret, he dedicated himself to the somber and narrow path of monasticism. Through great patience, he attained two basic virtues: humility and obedience. In these virtues he surpassed “not only the brethren, but all men.” From his youth he preserved the purity of his souls and body. At the time of the iconoclastic heresy he proved himself to be an unwavering pillar of the Church of God. Because of his great humility and purity, God bestowed upon him the gift of performing miracles, both during his lifetime and after his death. When he went to the Lord he left behind a countless number of disciples. He died peacefully in the 9th century.

Troparion

In you, O holy father Titus, the faithful image of God shone forth, for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away; and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

Kontakion

You passed your life in silence and drew near to God, O venerable and miracle-working father Titus.

Epistle

Phillippians 4: 4-9

Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice! Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise. Live according to what you have learned and accepted, what you have heard me say and seen me do. Then will the God of peace be with you.

Gospel

John 12: 1-18

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the village of Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave him a banquet, at which Martha served. Lazarus was one of those at table with Jesus. Mary brought a pound of costly perfume made from genuine aromatic nard. With which she anointed the feet of Jesus. Then she dried his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the ointment’s fragrance. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one about to hand him over), protested: “Why was not this perfume sold? It could have brought three hundred silver pieces, and the money have been given to the poor.” (He did not say this out of concern for the poor, but because he was a thief. He held the purse, and used to help himself to what was deposited there.) To this Jesus replied: “Leave her alone. Let her keep it against the day they prepare me for burial. The poor you always have with you, but me you will not always have.”

The great crowd of Jews discovered Jesus was there and came out, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. The fact was, the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus too, because too many Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him on account of Lazarus.

The next day the great crowd that had come for the feast heard that Jesus was to enter Jerusalem, so they got palm branches and came out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a donkey and mounted it, in accordance with Scripture: “Fear not, O daughter of Zion! Your king approaches you on a donkey’s colt.” (At first, the disciples did not understand all this, but after Jesus was glorified they recalled that the people had done to him precisely what had been written about him.)

The crowd that was present when Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead kept testifying to it. The crowd came out to meet him because they heard he had performed this sign.

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

Sunday Bulletin 4/2/23

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Apr. 1 – Lazarus Saturday

8:30 AM Divine Liturgy

5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM Reader Vespers

Sunday, Apr. 2 – Palm and Flowery Sunday

8:30 AM Matins

9:30 AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, Apr. 3 – Holy Monday

8:30 AM Bridegroom Matins

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

6:30 PM Presanctified Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, Apr. 4 – Holy Tuesday

8:30 AM Bridegroom Matins

6:30 PM Presanctified Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, Apr. 5 – Holy Wednesday

8:30 AM Bridegroom Matins

6:30 PM Presanctified Divine Liturgy

Thursday, Apr. 6 – Holy Thursday

8:30 AM Matins

6:30 PM Divine Liturgy

Friday, Apr. 7 – Good Friday

12:00 PM Strasti Matins

6:00 PM Santa Paula Good Friday Vespers

6:30 PM Good Friday Vespers

Saturday, Apr. 8 – Holy Saturday

8:30 AM Jerusalem Matins

5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Paschal Vigil

Sunday, Apr. 9 – Pascha, The Resurrection of Our Lord

9:00 AM Paschal Matins & Divine Liturgy with the blessing of baskets

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

MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE (Confession)

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

Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

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

WEEKLY DEPOSIT:

Collection: $1,625.00; Online: $180.00; Santa Paula: $406.00; Candles: $59.00

Total: $2,270.00 / Attendance – PSM: 72; VCO: 40

Pascha Potluck

Sign-up sheets for the Potluck following Paschal Liturgy are in the small hall. The Chirdons are generously roasting lamb for the occasion. While you sign up for Pascha, check out the other sign-up sheets in the small hall for all the other events we have during Holy Week. An important evening to note is the Holy Thursday supper; fasting is relaxed that evening to allow wine and oil in commemoration of the Last Supper.

The Old Testament Roots of Today’s Reading

John 12:13: they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! (“Savior”) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.”
Leviticus 23:40 – On the first day you shall gather fruit of majestic trees, branches of palms, and boughs of leafy trees and valley willows. Then for a week you shall make merry before the LORD, your God.
1 Maccabees 13: 51 – the Jews entered the citadel with shouts of praise, the waving of palm branches, the playing of harps and cymbals and lyres, and the singing of hymns and canticles, because a great enemy of Israel had been crushed.
2 Maccabees 10: 6-7 – Carrying rods entwined with leaves, beautiful branches and palms, they sang hymns of grateful praise to him who had successfully brought about the purification of his own place.
Psalm 118: 25-26 – LORD, grant salvation! LORD, grant good fortune! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
Zachariah 9:9 – Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Our Lord entered into Jerusalem humbly and yet as King before going to His voluntary suffering and death. Is He calling you to respond to His example by a vocation as a priest, deacon, monk or nun? Contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

April 01 Our Venerable Mother Mary of Egypt

Our holy mother Mary of Egypt who, a notorious Alexandrian sinner, was converted to God in the Holy City. With the Blessed Virgin interceding for her, she led a penitential life across the Jordan. She died in Palestine after forty-seven years of penitence (c. 530).

Troparion

While you had been a vessel of fornication, repentance made you a bride of Christ. By imitating the life of an angel, you destroyed the devil by the power of the cross. For this reason you became a bride for the King, O glorious Mary.

Kontakion

You walked through a deep dark mist of in, then you enlightened your heart by repentance. You came to repentance under the patronage of the holy and immaculate Theotokos, and you found full absolution from your sins. Now you rejoice with the angels, O glorious saint.

Epistle

Hebrews 12:28-13:8

Brothers and sisters: We who are receiving the unshakable kingdom should hold fast to God’s grace, through which we may offer worship acceptable to him in reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.

Love your fellow Christians always. Do not neglect to show hospitality, for by that means some have entertained angels without knowing it. Be as mindful as prisoners as if you were sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you may yet suffer as they do. Let marriage be honored in every way and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Do not love money but be content with what you have, for God has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.” Thus we may say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?” Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you; consider how their lives ended, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Gospel

John 11: 1-45

At that time there was a certain man named Lazarus who was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary whose brother Lazarus was sick was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and dried his feet with her hair.) The sisters sent word to Jesus to inform him, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Upon hearing this, Jesus said: “This sickness is not to end in death; rather it is for God’s glory, that through it the Son of God may be glorified.”

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus very much. Yet, after hearing Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two days more. Finally he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” “Rabbi,” protested the disciples, “With the Jews only recently trying to stone you, you are going back up there again?” Jesus answered: “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If a man goes walking by day he does not stumble because he sees the world bathed in light. But if he goes walking at night he will stumble since there is no light in him.”

After uttering these words, he added, “Our beloved Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him.” At this the disciples objected, “Lord, if he is asleep his life will be saved.” Jesus had been speaking about his death, but they thought he meant sleep in the sense of slumber. Finally Jesus said plainly: “Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, that you may come to believe. In any event, let us go to him.” Then Thomas (the name means “Twin”) said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go along, to die with him.”

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. The village was not far from Jerusalem–just under two miles– and many Jewish people had come out to console Martha and Mary over their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went to meet him, while Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would never have died. Even now, I am sure that God will give you whatever you ask of Him.” Jesus reassured her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replied, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied. “I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God: he who is to come into the world.”

When she had said this she went back and called her sister Mary. “The Teacher is here, asking for you,” she whispered. As soon as Mary heard this, she got up and started out in his direction. (Actually Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still at the spot where Martha had met him.) The Jews who were in the house with Mary consoling her saw her get up quickly and go out, so they followed her, thinking she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to the place where Jesus was, seeing him, she fell at his feet and said to him: “Lord, if you had been here my brother would never had died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had accompanied her also weeping, he was troubled in spirit, moved by the deepest emotions. “Where have you buried him?” Jesus asked. “Lord, come and see,” they said. Jesus began to weep, which caused the Jews to remark, “See how much he loved him!” But some said, “He opened the eyes of that blind man. Why could he not have done something to stop this man from dying?” Once again troubled in spirit, Jesus approached the tomb.

It was a cave with a stone laid across it. “Take away the stone,” Jesus directed. Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, it has been four days now; surely there will be a stench!” Jesus replied, “Did I not assure you that if you believed you would see the glory of God displayed?” They then took away the stone and Jesus looked upward and said: “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I know that you always hear me but I have said this for the sake of the crowd, that they may believe that You sent me.”

Having said this he called loudly, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, bound hand and foot with linen strips, his face wrapped in a cloth. “Until him,” Jesus told them, “and let him go free.”

This caused many of the Jew who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did to put their faith in him.

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

March 31 Our Venerable Father Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra

Our venerable father Hypatius was born in Cilicia and was the bishop of Gangra. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council (Nicea, 325) and was renowned by all for his pious life and miracle-working. The Emperor Constantius ordered that a likeness of Hypatius be made during the saint’s lifetime. The emperor kept the likeness in his palace as a weapon against all adverse powers. Once, upon returning from Constantinople, Hypatius was attacked in a narrow gorge by Novatian heretics and was thrown from the road into the mud. At that moment a woman from that group struck him on the head with a stone, and thus the saint died. Immediately the woman went insane and took that same stone and struck herself with it. When they took her to the grave of St. Hypatius, he interceded before God on her behalf. She was healed by the greatly compassionate soul of Hypatius, and lived the remainder of her life in repentance and prayer. St. Hypatius died in the year 326.

Troparion

In you, O holy father Hypatius, the faithful image of God shone forth, for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away; and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

Kontakion

You shone over the earth, O holy father Hypatius, and you enlighten those who come to you by miracles. Having poured out your blood, you became like Christ. You sing with the angels as you pray for us. Glory to God who strengthened you! Glory to Him who befriended you! Glory to Him who heals us through you!

Readings for the day

Genesis 49:33 – 50:26

When Jacob ended his charge to his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

Then Joseph threw himself on his father’s face and wept over him and kissed him. Joseph commanded the physicians in his service to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel; they spent forty days in doing this, for that is the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph addressed the household of Pharaoh, “If now I have found favor with you, please speak to Pharaoh as follows: My father made me swear an oath; he said, ‘I am about to die. In the tomb that I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.’ Now therefore let me go up, so that I may bury my father; then I will return.” Pharaoh answered, “Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.” So Joseph went up to bury his father. With him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s household. Only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. Both chariots and charioteers went up with him. It was a very great company. When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they held there a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he observed a time of mourning for his father seven days. When the Canaanite inhabitants of the land saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning on the part of the Egyptians.” Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim; it is beyond the Jordan. Thus his sons did for him as he had instructed them. They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah, the field near Mamre, which Abraham bought as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite. After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s household; and Joseph lived one hundred ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation; the children of Machir son of Manasseh were also born on Joseph’s knees.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die; but God will surely come to you, and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” So Joseph made the Israelites swear, saying, “When God comes to you, you shall carry up my bones from here.” And Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old; he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

Proverbs 31: 8-31

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.

Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away.

She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls.

She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson.

She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her:

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

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

March 30 Our Venerable Father John Climacus, Author of “The Ladder”

Our venerable father John Climacus is the author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. John came to Mount Sinai as a sixteen year old youth and remained there, first as a novice, later as a recluse, and finally as abbot of Sinai until his eightieth year, when he reposed, in about the year 649. After the death of his spiritual father, John withdrew into a cave, where he lived a life of strict asceticism for twenty years. At the insistence of the brotherhood, John agreed to become abbot, and he directed the salvation of the souls of men with zeal and love. Certain people reproached John for talking too much. Not at all angered by this, John nevertheless remained silent for an entire year. He did not utter a word until the brothers implored him to speak, and to continue teaching them his God-given wisdom. During his silence in the cave, John wrote many worthwhile books, of which the most glorious is The Ladder. In this book, John describes the method of raising the soul to God, comparing it to the climbing of a ladder.

Troparion

We find your virtues to be a ladder leading us to heaven, O venerable father John. You have become virtue personified, O glorious saint.

Kontakion

The Lord has placed you on the pinnacle of chastity, O father John, our guide. Like a brilliant star you shed light on the earth.

Readings for the day

Genesis 46: 1-7

When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.”

Then Jacob set out from Beer-sheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.

Proverbs: 23:15 – 24:6

My child, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.

My soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the Lord.

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Hear, my child, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way.

Do not be among winebibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat;

for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them with rags.

Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.

Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well.

She lies in wait like a robber and increases the number of the faithless.

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

Who has strife? Who has complaining?

Who has wounds without cause?

Who has redness of eyes?

Those who linger late over wine, those who keep trying mixed wines.

Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.

Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind utter perverse things.

You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.

“They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it.

When shall I awake? I will seek another drink.”

Do not envy the wicked, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of mischief.

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones, and those who have knowledge than those who have strength;

for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

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

Great and Holy Week Activities for Families: From Carolina Chirdon

N.B.: The links included in this post are not visible to everyone for some reason. They can usually be found if you hover over the black space where they should be. Sorry for the inconvenience!

———–

We’re so excited for Holy Week! Here are some family traditions that we do this week. I want to emphasize: if you’re beginning liturgical living in the Byzantine/Orthodox tradition, please DO NOT try to do everything. Choose one or two things that seem the simplest and most enjoyable for your family life this year. We have been doing some of these activities for eight years, other things we are just adding for the first time. Please feel free to disregard anything and everything if it just creates anxiety.

Lazarus Saturday

In the afternoon, we make Lazarakia. These are small, spiced, vegan bread rolls made to represent Lazarus raising from the dead. In the past, I have made these from scratch using this recipe.

This year, I discovered that Trader Joe’s Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls are vegan, so you bet that I’m just having the kids shape the cinnamon roll dough and put some cloves in for Lazarus’s eyes. When we are ready to bring them out of the oven, I have the kids “call out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!'” (John 11:43). We also do this before placing them on the table to eat.

Palm Sunday

Pysanky Eggs: We make these later in the afternoon after Divine Liturgy. There are some cool official Ukrainian kits you can get online. I admit it’s probably late to order these on a budget. A simpler, easier way for small children is Crayon Pysanky eggs – click here for a guide. The Crayon method will probably be used by Walter and Charlie this year; beeswax crayons work best. Sometimes we try making Pysanky Eggs closer to Pascha, but in our family it ended up being a little too rushed to really enjoy. The amount of intricacy on our eggs varies from year to year depending on ages of kids, nap times, and level of focus. When the eggs are sitting in the dye, we assemble our Resurrection Garden.

Resurrection Garden:

This is a tradition Paul grew up with that I was eager to add to our family. There are multiple ways to do this. One version of this garden begins a week or so before and uses quick growing grass seed. In this weeklong version, you place little crosses and a stone in the garden on Great and Holy Friday, and roll the stone away and on the Morning of Pascha. In this quick version, you can make it this way the night before, and it looks pretty good instantly. Some things I add are a sticker “seal” on the tomb (rock) on Great and Holy Friday, and lots of flowers over the tomb on the Morning of the Resurrection with a piece of white cloth in the tomb.

Great and Holy Monday

In the readings today, Jesus is hungry, and sees a fig tree with leaves, and has no fruit and he curses the fig tree. (Mark 11: 12-14) The disciples see the next day that the tree was dry and dead. Jesus continues to say that with faith, the disciples can move mountains and shows the power of faith. (Mark 11:20-26)

Today the kids make a fig tree out of a brown paper bag, spend time pasting “leaves” on it. That evening, we burn the paper trees with fire. Yep, I have boys, and I’m going to work with there love of fire.

Another appropriate family idea for this day would be to watch the movie “Little Boy” (2015, PG-13), which emphasizes this scriptural idea. As with all movie recommendations, you know your kids, use your parental discretion to whether you think this is appropriate for your family.

Great and Holy Tuesday

Clay Oil Lamps: We make little clay oil lamps representing the ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1-4) While sharing the story, I ask open ended questions “Hmmm…I wonder what Jesus means about this?” “I wonder what it means to be ready for the bridegroom…” Please, do not try to give the children answers. Giving them ideas to ponder grants the children the opportunity for the child’s own meditation. You can leave the lit oil lamps in your icon corner or prayer table at home this day.

Great and Holy Wednesday

Today, we read the gospel in which Jesus is Anointed by a Sinful Woman (Luke 7:36-50). We make some “anointing oil” which is really infused olive oil. We’re hoping to share this olive oil at dinner on Great and Holy Thursday.

Great and Holy Thursday

Today we make homemade bread to share with after Divine Liturgy. Paul also leads the family in washing each others feet. It’s a very small, intimate moment. The church encourages us to enjoy oil and wine on this day.

Great and Holy Friday

Crown of Thorns Pretzel Rolls: We make these together in the morning and then eat them at lunch. I did a trial run of these in the first week of the fast, and they were remarkably easier than I anticipated.

We place Crosses, Stone, and the Sticker Seal in our Resurrection Garden.

Great and Holy Saturday

We bake our Paska Bread and arrange our traditional Easter basket to be blessed. In addition to traditional foods, we include a lot of food that we’ve been fasting from in our basket.

March 29 Our Venerable Father Mark, Bishop of Arethusa; The Deacon Cyril & his Companions

Our venerable hieromartyr Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, suffered for his faith in Christ under the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). By order of the emperor Constantine, St. Mark had once destroyed a pagan temple and built a Christian church. When Julian came to the throne, he persecuted Christians and tried to restore paganism. Some citizens of Arethusa renounced Christianity and became pagans. Then, St. Mark’s enemies decided to take revenge on him. The old bishop hid himself from the persecutors at first, but then he gave himself up when he learned that the pagans had tortured many people in their search for him. St. Gregory the Theologian describes the sufferings of St. Mark in his First Oration against Julian.

The historian Theodoritus relates that during the reign of St. Constantine the Great, St. Cyril destroyed many idols and pagan temples in Heliopolis, Phoenicia. He was put to death for this during the reign of Julian the Apostate. During this time the pagans killed many Christians in the Palestinian cities of Ascalon, and Gaza: priests, women and children who had dedicated themselves to God. The holy martyrs received crowns of victory in the Kingdom of Heaven, and the torturers also received their just recompense: eternal torment in Hell.

Troparion

Kontakion

Having become a splendor of truth, you have illumuned the very ends of the earth. For this reason, we bless you, O martyred priests.

Readings for the day

Genesis 43:25 – 45:16

They made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they had heard that they would dine there.

When Joseph came home, they brought him the present that they had carried into the house, and bowed to the ground before him. He inquired about their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and did obeisance. Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, “Serve the meal.” They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. When they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

Then he commanded the steward of his house, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the top of his sack. Put my cup, the silver cup, in the top of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to his steward, “Go, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you returned evil for good? Why have you stolen my silver cup? Is it not from this that my lord drinks? Does he not indeed use it for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’”

When he overtook them, he repeated these words to them. They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing! Look, the money that we found at the top of our sacks, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan; why then would we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? Should it be found with any one of your servants, let him die; moreover the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.” He said, “Even so; in accordance with your words, let it be: he with whom it is found shall become my slave, but the rest of you shall go free.” Then each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. He searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this they tore their clothes. Then each one loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house while he was still there; and they fell to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that one such as I can practice divination?” And Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; here we are then, my lord’s slaves, both we and also the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the one in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.”

Then Judah stepped up to him and said, “O my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead; he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, so that I may set my eyes on him.’ We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ Then you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’ When we went back to your servant my father we told him the words of my lord. And when our father said, ‘Go again, buy us a little food,’ we said, ‘We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother goes with us, will we go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; one left me, and I said, Surely he has been torn to pieces; and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in sorrow to Sheol.’ Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy’s life, when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die; and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life.’ Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father.”

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.

Proverbs 21:23 – 22:4

To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble.

The proud, haughty person, named “Scoffer,” acts with arrogant pride.

The craving of the lazy person is fatal, for lazy hands refuse to labor.

All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when brought with evil intent.

A false witness will perish, but a good listener will testify successfully.

The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright give thought to their ways.

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the Lord.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.

The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

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

March 28 Our Venerable Father Hilary the Younger; The Holy Stephen the Wonder-worker

Our venerable father Hilarion (Hilary) the New, Heguman of Pelekete Monastery, from his youth devoted himself to the service of God and spent many years as a hermit. Because of his holy and blameless life he was ordained to the holy priesthood, and later he was made igumen of the Pelekete monastery, near the Dardanelles, in the eighth century. St. Hilarion was granted gifts of clairvoyance and wonderworking by the Lord.

The holy Stephen the Confessor, Hegumen of Triglia Monastery, suffered under the iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820). From a young age, the holy ascetic dedicated his life to God and received monastic tonsure. He later became the head of the Trigla monastery near Constantinople. When the persecution again began against holy icons, the saintly hegumen was summoned for questioning, and they tried to force him to sign a document rejecting the veneration of icons. St. Stephen steadfastly refused to betray Orthodoxy and he boldly denounced the emperor for his impiety. They subjected the saint to cruel torments, after which they sent him to prison in the year 815. Weakened and sick, the holy Confessor Stephen soon died in prison from his sufferings.

Troparion

Kontakion

Having glowed like the sun, your memory gives joy to the faithful. It disperses the darkness and casts out passion. Shelter and guard us from all the trials of life. We honor your holy precious memory, O honorable Hilarion and blessed Stephen.

Readings for the day

Genesis 31: 3-16

Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your ancestors and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was, and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me as favorably as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength; yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father, and given them to me.

“During the mating of the flock I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats that leaped upon the flock were striped, speckled, and mottled. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the goats that leap on the flock are striped, speckled, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and return to the land of your birth.’” Then Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has been using up the money given for us. All the property that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children; now then, do whatever God has said to you.”

Proverbs 21: 3-21

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the lamp of the wicked—are sin.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.

When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin.

If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.

A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.

Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want;whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife.

Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.

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