Our venerable father Patapius was born at Thebes into a pious Christian family. Reaching the age of maturity, he scorned the vanities of the world and so went into the Egyptian desert where he became known for his ascetic deeds. Though he wished to dwell in silence, people began to come to him for advice. He went eventually to Constantinople, where he obtained a cell at the city wall, near the Blachernae church. But here, too, he quickly became known. The sick began to throng about, and he, having been granted the gift of healing, began to help all the needy. After a life adorned with virtue and miracles, St. Patapius fell asleep in the Lord and was buried in the church of St. John the Baptist in the 7th century.
In you, O father, the divine image was strictly preserved; taking up your cross, you followed Christ. You taught us by example how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to care for the soul, which is immortal. Therefore, O venerable Patapius, your soul rejoices with the angels.
The people who come to your temple with reverence, O Holy One, as a place of spiritual healing, ask to receive healing of their infirmities and forgiveness of sins which they have committed in their lives. For you are revealed, O venerable Patapius, as an intercessor for all in need.
Ephesians 1: 16-23
Brothers and sisters: I have never stopped thanking God for you and recommending you in my prayers. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know him clearly. May he enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which he has called you, the wealth of his glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the church, and the immeasurable scope of his power in us who believe. It is like the strength he showed in raising Christ from the dead and seating him at his right hand in heaven, high above every principality, power, virtue, and domination, and every name that can be given in this age or in the age to come. He has put all things under Christ’s feet and has made him, this exalted, head of the church, which is his body: the fullness of him who fills the universe in all its parts.
Luke 13: 19-29
The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a large shrub and the birds of the sir nested in its branches.”
Jesus went on: “To what shall I compare the reign of God? It is like yeast which a woman took to knead into three measures of flour until the whole mass of dough began to rise.”
He went through cities and towns teaching– all the while making his way toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are they few in number who are to be saved?” Jesus replied: “Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. When once the master of the house has risen to lock the door and you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Sir, open for us,’ he will say in reply, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your company. You taught in our streets.’ But he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Away from me, you evil-doers!’
“There will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets safe in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves rejected. People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and will take their place at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Friday, December 8 –
