Our venerable father Alypius the Stylite was a deacon who died near the age of one hundred in the year 640 at Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia.
The Consecration of the Church of the Great Martyr George at Kiev: Beginning with the holy Prince Vladimir (July 15), it was the pious custom of Russian princes to build a church in honor of their patron saint. Thus, Saint Vladimir (in Baptism Basil) built at Kiev and Vyshgorod temples dedicated to Saint Basil the Great (Jan. 1). Prince Yaroslav the Wise (in Baptism George) started to build a church and men’s monastery in honor of his patron saint, the Holy Great Martyr George (Apr. 23).
You seem a terror unscalable to the devils, crippling them by the club of your effective prayers. You chase away passions by fasting. You are a firm support of the wavering. O venerable father Alypius, beg Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Today the ends of the world bless you when you were filled with divine miracles, and the earth rejoices receiving your blood. The Christ-named people of the city of Kiev rejoice with joy by the consecration of your divine temple, O passion-bearer George, O chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit who is the pleaser of Christ. Pray to Him for those who enter your temple with faith and petitions, to grant cleansing of sins, peace to the world, and to save our souls.
The Church glorifies you and sings to you today, O Alypius, a perfect example of virtue and fight with love deliverance from fierce transgressions on your name day.
Having assembled in faith in the consecrated temple which God alone blessed to construction in your name, let us praise the divine crown-bearer and great-martyr of Christ, George, for you are one who reposes among the saints.
Ephesians 5: 8b-19
Brothers and sisters: Live as children of light. Light produces every kind of goodness and justice and truth. Be correct in your judgment of what pleases the Lord. Take no part in vain deeds done in darkness; rather, condemn them. It is shameful even to mention the things these people do in secret; but when such deeds are condemned they are seen in the light of day, and all that then appears is light. That is why we read: “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Keep careful watch over your conduct. Do not act like fools, but like thoughtful men. Make the most of the present opportunity, for these are evil days. Do not continue in ignorance, but try to discern the will of the Lord. Avoid getting drunk on wine; that leads to debauchery. Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs. Sing praise to the Lord with all your hearts.
Luke 13: 10-17
At that time on a sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues. There was a woman there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit which drained her strength. She was badly stooped–quite incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said, “Woman, you are free of your infirmity.” He laid his hand on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began thanking God.
The chief of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus should have healed on the sabbath, said to the congregation, “There are six days for working. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath.” The Lord said in reply, “O you hypocrites! Which of you does not let his ox or ass out of the stall on the sabbath to water it? Should not this daughter of Abraham here who has been in the bondage of Satan for eighteen years have been released from her shackles on the sabbath?” At these words, his opponents were covered with confusion; meanwhile, everyone else rejoiced at the marvels Jesus was accomplishing.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Saturday, November 25 –
