The holy thirty-three martyrs at Melitene: Heiron was a devout Christian who cared diligently for his blind mother, Stratonica. He was forcibly impressed into the army, where he refused to worship idols. He was brought before the local governor with thirty-two other Christians in the year 298. They went to their death singing the psalm, “Blessed are those undefiled in their way, who walk in the Law of the Lord.”
Our venerable father Lazarus the Wonder-worker, who fasted in the hills of Galilee. He left for the Holy Land on pilgrimage and became a monk of the monastery of St. Sabbas the Sanctified. After ten years, he settled in Galilee and lived as a stylite in the 11th century.
Troparion – Martyrs
Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggles received incorruptible crowns from You. With Your strength, they brought down tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Troparion – Venerable
Your falling tears and prayer vigils watered the pillar, and the thoughts of your heart produced fruit a hundredfold. And you were a shepherd, obtaining forgiveness for all, our venerable father Lazarus, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion – Martyrs
The radiant choir of martyrs, the light-bearing army, descends perceptibly to us. Today the Church is enlightened by wondrous ray. Therefore, we celebrate their honorable memory, beseeching from You, our Savior: Through their prayers deliver us from distress that we might sing to You: Alleluia.
Kontakion – Venerable
The Church of Christ praises you with rejoicing psalms, for you have become like her largest candle stand. Therefore, do not cease praying to Christ to give remission of sins to all.
Epistle
1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13
Brothers and sisters: What thanks can we give to God for all the joy we feel in his presence because of you, as we ask him fervently night and day that we may see you face to face and remedy any shortcomings in your faith? May God himself, who is our Father, and our Lord Jesus make our path a straight one! And may the Lord increase you and make you overflow with love for one another and for all, even as our love does for you. May he strengthen your hearts, making them blameless and holy before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.
Gospel
Luke 12: 42-48
The Lord said, “Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward whom the master will set over his servants to dispense their ration of grain in season? That servant is fortunate whom his master finds busy when he returns. Assuredly, his master will put him in charge of all his property. But if the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking his time about coming,’ and begins to abuse the housemen and servant girls, to eat and drink and get drunk, that servant’s master will come back on a day when he does not expect him, at a time he does not know. The master will punish him severely and rank him among those undeserving of trust. The slave who knew his master’s wishes but did not prepare to fulfill them will get a severe beating, whereas the one who did not know them and who nonetheless deserved to be flogged will get off with fewer stripes. When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man whom more has been entrusted.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Monday, November 6 –
