Orthodox Christian

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Monday

LITURGY

1 Thessalonians 2:20-3:8

For ye are our glory and joy. Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Luke 11:29-33

And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

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HOLY MARTYRS AKEPSIMUS, BISHOP; JOSEPH, PRIEST; AND AETHALAS, DEACON, OF PERSIA
ST WINEFRED

Troparion of the Martyrs Tone 3

O servants of godliness/ you were pillars of the Church/ and humbled the proud fire-worshipers./ O much-afflicted Hierarch Akepsimus, Joseph and Aethalas,/ pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Troparion of St Winefred Tone 8

Caradog's anger struck off thy head, O pious Winefred/ but by the prayers of the Wonderworker Beuno thy mutilated form was miraculously made whole and restored to life./ As thou didst dedicate thy life to God's service in thanksgiving for His abundant mercy,/ pray that we, never forgetting His mercy towards us,/ may live only for Him that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of the Martyrs Tone 2

Thou didst serve the Divine Mysteries blamelessly/ and was thyself an acceptable sacrifice,/ for thou didst drink Christ's chalice./ O Akepsimus, together with thy fellow martyrs,/ pray unceasingly for us all.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:29:00 +0000

Wednesday

LITURGY

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Luke 11:9-13

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

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ST ANASTASIA OF ROME, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
OUR HOLY FATHER ABRAMIUS THE ANCHORITE AND HIS NIECE MARY
ST KENNERA, VIRGIN
ST COLMAN OF KILMACDUAGH

Troparion of St Anastasia Tone 4

O holy Virgin Anastasia,/ thou didst redden thy robe of purity/ with the blood of thy martyr's contest./ Thou dost illumine the world with the grace of healing/ and intercede with Christ our God for our souls.

Troparion of St Abramius and his Niece Mary Tone 1

Thou didst abandon all earthly comforts, O Father Abramius;/ thou didst live righteously in hope of things to come/ and receive a sacred anointing./ Initiated into divine mysteries thou dost enlighten those who cry:/ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Kennera Tone 8

Bright beacon of purity and Light of Galloway, O holy Kennera,/ as thou didst preserve thyself in virginity for love of Christ,/ pray to Him, that despite our corrupt condition He will grant us great mercy.

Troparion of St Colman of Kilmacduagh Tone 8

Rejecting the nobility of thy birth, O Father Colman,/ thou didst seek God in the solitude of desert places./ Thy virtue like a beacon, drew men unto thee/ and thou didst guide them into the way of salvation./ Guide us also by thy prayers, that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St Anastasia Tone 3

Purified by the streams of thy virginity/ and crowned by the blood of martyrdom,/ thou dost grant healing to those in sickness,/ and salvation to those who lovingly pray to thee./ For Christ has given thee strength which flows to us as a stream of grace,/ O Virgin Martyr Anastasia.

Kontakion of St Abramius and his Niece Mary Tone 3

Thou didst live on earth as an angel in the flesh/ and flourish as a well planted tree,/ watered by abstinence and tears,/ O Abramius, vessel of the Holy Spirit.

What is the Christian view of smoking? Is smoking a sin?

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:26:00 +0000

http://www.gotquestions.org/smoking-Christian-sin.html

Answer: The Bible never directly mentions smoking. There are principles, however, that definitely apply to smoking. First, the Bible commands us not to allow our bodies to become "mastered" by anything. "Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me—but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:12). Smoking is undeniably strongly addictive. Later in the same passage we are told, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Smoking is undoubtedly very bad for your health. Smoking has been proven to damage the lungs and the heart.

Can smoking be considered "beneficial" (1 Corinthians 6:12)? Can it be said that smoking is truly honoring God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:20)? Can a person honestly smoke "for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31)? We believe that the answer to these three questions is a resounding "no." As a result, we believe that smoking is a sin and therefore should not be practiced by followers of Jesus Christ.

Some argue against this view by pointing to the fact that many people eat unhealthy foods, which can be just as addicting and just as bad for the body. As an example, many people are so helplessly addicted to caffeine that they cannot function without their first cup of coffee in the morning. While this is true, how does that make smoking right? It is our contention that Christians should avoid gluttony and excessively unhealthy eating. Yes, Christians are often hypocritical by condemning one sin and condoning another, but, again, this does not make smoking honoring to God.

Another argument against this view of smoking is that many godly men have been smokers, such as the famous British preacher C.H. Spurgeon, who was known to smoke cigars. Again, we do not believe this argument holds any weight. We believe Spurgeon was wrong for smoking. Was he otherwise a godly man and fantastic teacher of God's Word? Absolutely! Does that make all of his actions and habits honoring to God? No.

In stating that smoking is a sin, we are not stating that all smokers are unsaved. There are many true believers in Jesus Christ who smoke. Smoking does not prevent a person from being saved. Nor does it cause a person to lose salvation. Smoking is no less forgivable than any other sin, whether for a person becoming a Christian or a Christian confessing his/her sin to God (1 John 1:9). At the same time, we firmly believe that smoking is a sin that should be forsaken and, with God’s help, overcome.

Recommended Resource: Freedom from Addiction: Breaking the Bondage of Addiction and Finding Freedom in Christ by Neil Anderson.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Tuesday

LITURGY

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Luke 11:1-10

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

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HOLY MARTYRS TERENCE, HIS WIFE NEONILLA AND THEIR SEVEN CHILDREN SERBELUS, PHOTUS, THEODULUS, HIERAX, NITUS, BELE AND EUNICE

Troparion Tone 3

Bound together by natural bonds/ and clothed with the might of faith/ you walked the path of martyrdom with your seven children./ O holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla,/ pray that those who honour your contest may receive forgiveness of their sins.

Kontakion Tone 4

Today the memory of the Martyrs/ is bringing gladness to us all./ Let us fervently ask them for healing,/ for they obtained this grace from the Spirit,/ to heal the infirmities and sickness of our souls.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Friday

LITURGY

Colossians 4:10-18

Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Luke 10:1-15

After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

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ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, "JOY OF ALL THAT SORROW"
HOLY MARTYR ARETHAS AND HIS 4299 FELLOW MARTYRS
ST CADFARCH, MONK
ST MAELOR, MONK

Troparion of the Icon "Joy of all that Sorrow" Tone 4

Let us, sinful and humbled, now earnestly run to the Mother of God,/ and let us fall down in repentance,/ crying from the depths of our soul:/ O Lady, help, have compassion on us./ Make haste, for we perish from the multitude of our sins./ Turn not thy servants empty away,/ for we have thee as our only hope.

Another Troparion of the Icon "Joy of all that Sorrow" Tone 2

Thou art the joy of all that sorrow/ and the protectoress of the oppressed,/ feeder of the hungry, consolation of travelers,/ haven for the tempest-tossed, visitation of the sick,/ protection and aid of the infirm, staff of old age,/ O all-pure Mother of the Most High God./ Hasten, we pray, to save thy servants.

Troparion of St Arethas and his fellow Martyrs Tone 1

Thou didst live piously and wast glorified in contest,/ and didst triumph over Christ's enemies./ Thou didst bring Him a company of martyrs,/ O blessed Arethas./ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Cadfarch Tone 8

Brother and companion of saints, O Father Cadfarch,/ thou art truly numbered among the Righteous of the Age of Saints./ Wherefore intercede for us, weak as we are,/ that Christ our God will grant us great mercy.

Troparion of St Maelor Tone 8

At the bidding of our Father Samson thou didst leave thy native Wales/ to serve God in Lammeur's Monastery, O Father Maelor./ Having pleased God with the sweet fragrance of monastic struggle,/ thou didst grace the island of Sark with thy godly repose./ Pray to God for us, O blessed one, that He will spare us/ from sudden and unprepared death and grant salvation to our souls.

Kontakion of the Icon ''Joy of all that Sorrow" Tone 6

We have no other help, we have no other hope,/ apart from thee, O Lady:/ help us. we hope in thee and in thee we glory./ Let us not be confounded for we are thy servants.

Kontakion of St Arethas and his fellow Martyrs Tone 4

The radiant feast of the victorious Martyrs/ comes today as an occasion of gladness./ As we celebrate it we glorify the Lord on high.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Thursday

LITURGY

Colossians 4:2-9

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

Luke 9:49-56

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

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HOLY APOSTLE JAMES THE BROTHER OF THE LORD, FIRST BISHOP OF JERUSALEM

Troparion Tone 4

Thou hast received the Gospel as a disciple,/ thou art invincible as a martyr,/ and bold as the Lord's brother,/ thou dost intercede as a hierarch./ O righteous James, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion Tone 4

God the Word, only-begotten of the Father,/ came to us in the last days./ He has made thee first shepherd and teacher of Jerusalem/ and a steward of spiritual mysteries./ we honour thee, O Apostle James.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:05:00 +0000

Wednesday

LITURGY

Colossians 3:17-4:1

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Luke 9:44-50

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

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KAZAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
ABERCIUS THE WONDER WORKER, EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES AND BISHOP OF HIEROPOLIS

Troparion of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Tone 4

O fervent intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High,/ thou dost pray to thy Son Christ our God and savest all who seek thy protection./ O Sovereign Lady and Queen,/ help and defend all of us who in trouble and trials,/ in pain and burdened with sins,/ stand in thy presence before thine icon,/ and who pray with compunction, contrition and tears/ and with unflagging hope in thee./ Grant what is good for us, deliverance from evil,/ and save us all, O Virgin Mother of God,/ for thou art a divine protection to thy servants.

Troparion of St Abercius the Wonderworker Tone 5

Thou didst emulate the zeal of the Apostles/ and shine forth like a morning star,/ and thy works showed thy God-given power:/ Thou didst guide the erring to God, O Hierarch Abercius.

Kontakion of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Tone 8

O peoples, let us run to that quiet good haven,/ to the speedy helper, the warm salvation, to the Virgin's protection./ Let us speed to prayer and hasten to repentance./ For the Mother of God pours out her mercy, anticipates needs and averts disasters/ for her patient and God-fearing servants.

Kontakion of St Abercius the Wonderworker Tone 8

The whole Church honours thee as a great Hierarch and as a companion to the Apostles./ By thy prayers keep the Church unconquered and unshaken by heresy, O glorious Abercius.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:19:00 +0000

Tuesday

LITURGY

Colossians 2:20-3:3

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Luke 9:23-27

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

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ST CHRISTODULUS OF PATMOS
ST HILARION THE GREAT
ST FINTAN, MONK

Troparion of St Christodulus Tone 2

Thou didst quench the heat of the passions/ by the flow thy tears, O Father Christodulus./ We pray with faith:/ deliver us from passions and evils,/ for thou art interceding unceasingly for us.

Troparion of St Hilarion Tone 1

Illumined in mind by the light of abstinence,/ thou wast radiant with miracles, O Father Hilarion./ Thou didst become a shining pillar of godliness/ and enlighten the of faithful who came to thee./ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Fintan Tone 8

As a disciple of Iona's founder,/ thou wast rooted firmly in the Faith and the monastic disciplines,/ O Founder of Taghmon's Monastery, holy Father Fintan,/ Righteous Ascetic and Champion of our Church./ As thou didst defend the tradition of our Fathers in the Faith,/ defend us, O Saint, from soul-destroying innovations,/ that we stray not from the way of salvation.

Kontakion of St Christodulus Tone 4

Rejoicing at the return of thy precious relics,/ thy flock cries to thee with faith:/ Thou hast come, thou hast appeared,/ my guardian and deliverer,/ O holy Christodulus.

Kontakion of St Hilarion Tone 3

We gather today and praise thee with hymns/ as a light of the spiritual sun./ For thou didst illumine those in the darkness of ignorance/ and raise all to divine heights./ And so we cry to thee:/ Rejoice, Hilarion, summit of ascetics.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Friday

LITURGY

Philippians 3:8-19

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Luke 7:31-35

And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.

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HOLY MARTYRS EULAMPIUS AND HIS SISTER EULAMPIA
ST PATRICIAN, HIERARCH

Troparion of the Martyrs Tone 1

United by natural bonds/ you were of one soul and steadfast in contest,/ as divine kinsmen, Eulampius and Eulampia./ Since you have received crowns of honour save us by your prayers.

Troparion of St Patrician Tone 1

Driven from the See in Strathclyde by the Saxon hordes,/ thou wast sheltered by the Manx people/ to whom thou didst preach the life-giving Gospel of Christ,/ O Hierarch Patrician./ In thy patience and love for all, remember those who now cry to thee/ and beseech Christ our God that He will save our souls.

Kontakion of the Martyrs Tone 3

We honour the noble martyrs Eulampius and Eulampia,/ brother and sister according to the flesh./ They have put to shame the wiles of the enemy/ through the power of Christ the Crucified.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:55:00 +0000

Wednesday

LITURGY

Philippians 2:24-30

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Luke 6:46-7:1

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

+ + +

ST PELAGIA THE PENITENT
ST KEYNE, VIRGIN

Troparion of St Pelagia Tone 4

Like a fragrant rose growing from thorns/ thou wast shown to the Church through thy virtuous deeds/ and wast a source of joy for the faithful./ Thou didst offer thy life in sweet-smelling fragrance to Him Who made thee wonderful./ Entreat Him to save us from every passion, O righteous Pelagia.

Troparion of St Keyne Tone 8

Having turned serpents to stone, thou didst give thy name to Keynsham, O holy Keyne,/ and after thy life, resplendent with miracles,/ our Father Cadoc ministered to thee at thy repose./ By thy prayers, O Virgin, may we be granted great mercy.

Kontakion of St Pelagia Tone 2

Thou didst wear out thy body with fasts, vigils and prayers/ and pray thy Creator for total forgiveness./ This thou didst obtain/ and dost show us the way to repentance,/ O holy Mother Pelagia.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Monday

LITURGY

Philippians 2:12-16

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

+ + +

HOLY AND GLORIOUS APOSTLE THOMAS
ST LALLUWY, VIRGIN

Troparion of St Thomas Tone 2

Thou wast a disciple of Christ and one of the Twelve,/ and by thy unbelief didst proclaim Christ's Resurrection./ By touch thou wast assured of His holy Passion,/ O glorious Apostle Thomas./ Pray to Him to grant us peace and mercy.

Troparion of St Lalluwy Tone 8

To this day Menheniot's sacred well witnesses to thy virtue, O Pius Lalluwy./ As thou didst call forth a stream of living water from the earth,/ we pray thee, entreat Christ our God to pour forth for us/ the saving waters of eternal life.

Kontakion of St Thomas Tone 4

The grace-filled Apostle and true servant of Christ/ cried out in repentance:/ Thou art my Lord and my God.

Luke 6:24-30

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Sayings of the Holy Fathers:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:32:00 +0000

"...the man of understanding restrains his own will...Thus through self-control he practises the other virtues as well. He looks on himself as in God's debt for everything, finding nothing whatsoever with which to repay to his Benefactor, and even thinking that his virtues simply increase his debt. For he receives and has nothing to give. He only asks that he may be allowed to offer thanks to God. Yet even the fact that God accepts his thanks puts him, so he thinks, into still greater debt. But he continues to give thanks, ever doing what is good and reckoning himself an ever greater debtor, in his humility considering himself lower than all men, delighting in God his Benefactor and trembling even as he rejoices (cf. Ps. 2:11)."

St. Peter of Damaskos

+ + +

"If we truly think of Christ as our source of holiness, we shall refrain from anything wicked or impure in thought or act and thus show ourselves to be worthy bearers of his name. For the quality of holiness is shown not by what we say but by what we do in life."

St. Gregory of Nyssa

+ + +

"...true humility does not consist in speaking humbly, or in looking humble. The humble person does not have to force himself to think humbly, nor does he keep finding fault with himself. Such conduct may provide us with an occasion for humility or constitute its outward form, but humility itself is a grace and a divine gift."

St. Gregory of Sinai

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Saturday

LITURGY

1 Corinthians 15:58-16:3

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Luke 5:17-26

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

+ + +

HOLY HIEROMARTYR HIEROTHEUS OF ATHENS

Troparion Tone 1

All we faithful praise Hierotheus the disciple of Paul./ He is the world's teacher, Hierarch of Athens, and a preacher of the Faith,/ revealing Christ's Mysteries and pouring forth streams of godly doctrine./ His life was well-pleasing to God Who is greatly merciful.

Kontakion Tone 8

Hierotheus Bishop of Athens, we honour thee,/ for thou hast taught us ineffable Mysteries and art an inspired hymn writer./ Intercede that we may be delivered from our sins and so may cry:/ Rejoice, O wise and heavenly Father.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Friday

LITURGY

Philippians 1:27-2:4

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Luke 6:17-23

And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

+ + +

HOLY HIEROMARTYR DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE

Troparion Tone 4

O holy Hieromartyr Dionysius, thou wast fully instructed,/ sober in action, with a good conscience as befits a priest./ Thou didst draw Mysteries from the Vessel of Grace/ and having kept the Faith thou didst complete thy course as he did./ Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion Tone 8

When in spirit thou didst pass through the heavenly gates as a disciple of him who attained to the third heaven,/ thou wast enriched with ineffable knowledge and didst enlighten those in darkness of ignorance./ Therefore we cry: Rejoice, O Father Dionysius.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:21:00 +0000

Thursday

LITURGY

Philippians 1:20-27

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Luke 6:12-19

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

+ + +

HOLY HIEROMARTYR CYPRIAN

Troparion Tone 3

Thou didst abandon ungodly darkness/ and become a light of the truth./ Thou wast illustrious as a pastor/ and wast glorified in contest./ O righteous Father Cyprian/ together with godly Justina pray to God the Creator for us.

Kontakion Tone 1

Thou didst renounce magic for the knowledge of God/ and become a wise healer for the world./ Together with Justina thou dost cure those who honour thee:/ with her pray to Christ our God the Lover of mankind that He may save our souls.

Sayings of the Holy Fathers:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:18:00 +0000

"A man will appear at the Judgement of Christ with what he has when he departs from this world. Sinners! Let us consider this saying diligently and repent, lest we depart into the next world and appear before that judgement with our sins. Our compassionate God promised to show us His grace and mercy, but He did not promise us the morrow. Let us pay close attention to this and let us awake from sleep, and remembering our death let us correct ourselves and prepare for our departure, that we may have a blessed end. He who dies in repentance and faith and true prayer dies in the Lord."

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

+ + +

"Seest thou that a failure in almsgiving is enough to cast a man into hell fire? For where will he avail who does not give alms? Dost thou fast every day? So also did those virgins, but it availed them nothing. Dost thou pray? What of that? prayer without almsgiving is unfruitful, without that all things are unclean and unprofitable. The better part of virtue is destroyed. 'He that loveth not his brother,' it is said, 'knoweth not God' (1 John. 4:8). And how dost thou love him, when thou dost not even impart to him of these poor worthless things? "

St. John Chrysostom

+ + +

"St. John in one of his epistles says, 'Perfect love drives out fear.' What does the holy man signify to us by this? What sort of love and what sort of fear is he talking about? The psalmist says, 'Fear the Lord all you who love him,' and we find thousands of similar sayings in Holy Scripture. If, therefore, the saints who so loved Him feared Him, how can he say, 'Love casteth out fear'? St. John wishes to show us that there are two kinds of fear: one preliminary, the other perfect; the one found in beginners - as someone called it 'of the devout'; the other in those perfected in holiness, of those having arrived at true love."

St. Dorotheos of Gaza

At the Departure of the Soul from the Body

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:48:00 +0000

+ O Jesus, my Savior and God, Thou didst take away the offense of Adam and didst taste death, that Thou mightest free man therefrom, O Thou Who art merciful. Wherefore, we beseech Thee, O Merciful One, as Thou art good, grant rest in Thy holy courts unto [him / her ] that hath departed, O Thou Who alone art all-good and merciful.

+ O most pure one, we call thee the Bride of the invisible Father, the Mother of the Son Who was incarnate of thee by the Holy Spirit; and we set thee forth as intercessor for thy departed [servant / handmaiden]. For thee do we on earth have as our helper, and we magnify thee singing with love.

---

from the 9th ode of the canon

At the Departure of the Soul from the Body

in the Russian Orthodox Psalter

[Paradise Press, 2009]

Sayings of the Holy Fathers:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:49:00 +0000

"A true Christian is made by faith and love toward Christ. Our sins do not in the least hinder our Christianity, according to the word of the Saviour Himself. He deigned to say: not the righteous have I come to call, but sinners to salvation; there is more joy in heaven over one who repents than over ninety righteous ones. Likewise concerning the sinful woman who touched His feet, He deigned to say to the Pharisee Simon: to one who has love, a great debt is forgiven, but from one who has no love, even a small debt will be demanded. From these judgments a Christian should bring himself to hope and joy, and not in the least accept an inflicted despair. Here one needs the shield of faith."

St. Herman of Alaska

+ + +

"The offspring of virtue is perseverance. The fruit and offspring of perseverance is habit, and the child of habit is character."

St. John Climacus

+ + +

"Love, therefore, is the foremost of all excellent achievements and the first of the commandments of the law. If ever, then, the soul reach this goal, it will be in no need of anything else; it will embrace that plenitude of things which are, whereby alone it seems in any way to preserve within itself the stamp of God's actual blessedness. For the life of the Supreme Being is love, seeing that the Beautiful is necessarily lovable to those who recognize it, and the Deity does recognize it, and so this recognition becomes love, that which He recognizes being essentially beautiful. This True Beauty the insolence of satiety cannot touch; and no satiety interrupting this continuous capacity to love the Beautiful, God's life will have its activity in life; which life is thus in itself beautiful, and is essentially of a loving disposition towards the Beautiful."

St. Gregory of Nyssa

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Tuesday

LITURGY

Philippians 1:8-14

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Luke 5:12-16

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

+ + +

HOLY HIEROMARTYR GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, BISHOP AND EVANGELIST OF GREAT ARMENIA
ST MICHAEL, METROPOLITAN OF KIEV
ST MIDAN

Troparion of St Gregory Tone 3

Thou didst sow the knowledge of God in the hearts of the faithful,/ by cultivating the Faith;/ made radiant by the wounds of martyrdom/ thou didst shed thy light on all./ O Hierarch Gregory, pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Troparion of St Michael, Metropolitan of Kiev Tone 4

The prophecy of the first-called Apostle has been fulfilled today:/ grace has illumined these hills,/ the faith is increased,/ and those who were not a people are now the people of God, a holy nation,/ a flock of Christ of which thou, O Michael, art first shepherd,/ and thou dost serve it by giving it baptism./ O Hierarch standing before God, pray that all may be saved.

Troparion of St Midan Tone 8

Amongst Angelsey's adornment of Saints,/ thy virtuous life shines forth to illumine these islands, O Father Midan./ We pray thee to intercede with Christ our God/ that His mercy, and not our weakness, will prevail that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St Gregory Tone 2

Let us the faithful praise Hierarch Gregory/ who is a shepherd, teacher and enlightener;/ and he is an athlete for the Truth./ He intercedes with Christ our God that we may be saved.

Kontakion of St Michael Tone 2

Thou didst appear as a second Moses/ bringing the vine from Egyptian idolatry into the land of promise./ And thou didst say of it: Faith shall be established in this land,/ and fruit to nourish the world shall flourish on the summits of Kiev/ more than on the heights of Lebanon./ Having this fruit we bless thee,/ O Hierarch Michael.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Monday

LITURGY

Philippians 1:1-7

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

Luke 4:37-44

And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

+ + +

ST CYRIAC THE ASCETIC

Troparion Tone 1

Thou didst make the wilderness thy dwelling/ and become an angel in the flesh and a wonderworker./ Thou wast found worthy of grace/ to heal all who hastened to thee, O blessed Cyriac./ Glory to Christ Who has glorified thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Kontakion Tone 8

The sacred Lavra honours thee as a mighty champion and helper,/ and yearly celebrates thy memory./ Thou hast boldness towards the Lord: preserve us from all enemy attack/ that we may cry to thee: Rejoice Cyriac our holy father.

Daily Readings:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:58:00 +0000

18th Sunday after Pentecost

MATINS (VII)

John 20:1-10

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

LITURGY

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Luke 5:1-11

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

+ + +

OUR HOLY FATHER AND CONFESSOR CHARITON
HOLY PROPHET BARUCH
ST CONWALL

Troparion of St Chariton Tone 4

O blessed Chariton,/ radiant with the grace of the Spirit/ thou wast luminous with virtue./ Thou didst shine from the desert by confession and labours./ Pray for those who sing thy praises.

Troparion of the Prophet Baruch Tone 8

Thou wast worthy of the light of prophecy/ and didst become companion to Jeremias./ Thou didst foretell the self-emptying of God the Word/ which He wrought for the world's salvation./ We who partake of this in the true Faith honour thee, O Prophet Baruch.

Troparion of St Conwall Tone 8

Taking to heart Christ's holy command, thou didst preach His Gospel to the nation of the Picts,/ O Father Conwall, setting us a laudable example./ Pray that we may be granted strength also to witness for Christ until our last breath,/ that having lived only for Him, we may be made worthy to enter His Kingdom.

Kontakion of St Chariton Tone 2

Thou didst delight in monastic discipline/ and bridle carnal desire,/ and didst increase in faith, O blessed Chariton./ Thou hast flourished as the tree of life in the midst of Paradise.

Kontakion of the Prophet Baruch Tone 8

Like a prophetic harp thou didst sing and foretell the Redeemer's dispensation:/ "This is our God Who did show Himself upon earth and none other shall be compared to Him."/ Thus hast thou revealed the gate of knowledge, O Baruch, to those who worship His coming.

22-28
SATURDAY AFTER THE LEAVETAKING OF THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS: SYNAXIS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES

Troparion Tone 4

We bring to Thee in prayer, O Christ, great Anthony and the assembly of the God-bearing Fathers;/ they are a fiery Pillar and a brilliant sun shining from the Kievan Caves./ By their prayers grant grace to our monastery and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion Tone 2

Let us honour with praises the ascetic choir/ as we behold them with our minds and in spirit./ As we venerate their relics, let us bring gifts of love,/ for they pray to God for our souls.

المجدلة الكبرى The Great Doxology in Arabic

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:22:00 +0000

On Grace and Free Will

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:58:00 +0000

by St. Augustine of Hippo ( in A.D. 426 or 427)

Chapter 1

The Occasion and Argument of This Work.

With reference to those persons who so preach and defend man's free will, as boldly to deny, and endeavour to do away with, the grace of God which calls us to Him, and delivers us from our evil deserts, and by which we obtain the good deserts which lead to everlasting life: we have already said a good deal in discussion, and committed it to writing, so far as the Lord has vouchsafed to enable us. But since there are some persons who so defend God's grace as to deny man's free will, or who suppose that free will is denied when grace is defended, I have determined to write somewhat on this point to your Love, my brother Valentinus, and the rest of you, who are serving God together under the impulse of a mutual love. For it has been told me concerning you, brethren, by some members of your brotherhood who have visited us, and are the bearers of this communication of ours to you, that there are dissensions among you on this subject. This, then, being the case, dearly beloved, that you be not disturbed by the obscurity of this question, I counsel you first to thankGod for such things as you understand; but as for all which is beyond the reach of your mind, pray for understanding from the Lord, observing, at the same time peace and love among yourselves; and until He Himself lead you to perceive what at present is beyond your comprehension, walk firmly on the ground of which you are sure. This is the advice of the Apostle Paul, who, after saying that he was not yet perfect, Philippians 3:12 a little later adds, "Let us, therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded," Philippians 3:15 — meaning perfect to a certain extent, but not having attained to a perfection sufficient for us; and then immediately adds, "And if, in any thing, you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule." Philippians 3:16 For by walking in what we have attained, we shall be able to advance to what we have not yet attained—God revealing it to us if in anything we are otherwise minded—provided we do not give up what He has already revealed.

Chapter 2

He Proves the Existence of Free Will in Man from the Precepts Addressed to Him by God.

Now He has revealed to us, through His Holy Scriptures, that there is in a man a free choice of will. But how He has revealed this I do not recount in human language, but in divine. There is, to begin with, the fact that God's precepts themselves would be of no use to a man unless he had free choice of will, so that by performing them he might obtain the promised rewards. For they are given that no one might be able to plead the excuse of ignorance, as the Lord says concerning the Jews in the gospel: "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin." John 15:22 Of what sin does He speak but of that great one which He foreknew, while speaking thus, that they would make their own— that is, the death they were going to inflict upon Him? For they did not have "no sin" before Christ came to them in the flesh. The apostle also says: "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold back the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him are from the creation of the world clearly seen— being understood by the things that are made— even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are inexcusable." Romans 1:18-20 In what sense does he pronounce them to be "inexcusable," except with reference to such excuse as human pride is apt to allege in such words as, "If I had only known, I would have done it; did I not fail to do it because I was ignorant of it?" or, "I would do it if I knew how; but I do not know, therefore I do not do it"? All such excuse is removed from them when the precept is given them, or the knowledge is made manifest to them how to avoid sin.

Chapter 3.

Sinners are Convicted When Attempting to Excuse Themselves by Blaming God,

Because They Have Free Will.

There are, however, persons who attempt to find excuse for themselves even from God. The Apostle James says to such: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death." James 1:13-15 Solomon, too, in his book of Proverbs, has this answer for such as wish to find an excuse for themselves from God Himself: "The folly of a man spoils his ways; but he blames God in his heart." Proverbs 19:3 And in the book of Ecclesiasticus we read: "Say not, It is through the Lord that I fell away; for you ought not to do the things that He hates: nor say, He has caused me to err; for He has no need of the sinful man. The Lord hates all abomination, and they that fear God love it not. He Himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of His counsel. If you be willing, you shall keep His commandments, and perform true fidelity. He has set fire and water before you: stretch forth your hand unto whether you will. Before man is life and death, andwhichsoever pleases him shall be given to him. " Sirach 15:11-17 Observe how very plainly is set before our view the free choice of the human will.

Chapter 4.

The Divine Commands Which are Most Suited to the Will Itself Illustrate Its Freedom.

What is the import of the fact that in so many passages God requires all His commandments to be kept and fulfilled? How does He make this requisition, if there is no free will? What means "the happy man," of whom the Psalmist says that "his will has been the law of the Lord"? Does he not clearly enough show that a man by his own will takes his stand in the law of God? Then again, there are so many commandments which in some way are expressly adapted to the human will; for instance, there is, "Be not overcome of evil," Romans 12:1 and others of similar import, such as, "Be not like a horse or a mule, which have no understanding;" and, "Reject not the counsels of your mother;" Proverbs 1:8 and, "Be not wise in your own conceit;" Proverbs 3:7 and, "Despise not the chastening of the Lord;" Proverbs 3:11 and, "Forget not my law;" Proverbs 3:1 and, "Forbear not to do good to the poor;" Proverbs 3:27 and, "Devise not evil against your friend;" Proverbs 3:29 and, "Give no heed to a worthless woman;" Proverbs 5:2 and, "He is not inclined to understand how to do good;" and, "They refused to attend to my counsel;" Proverbs 1:30 with numberless other passages of the inspired Scriptures of the Old Testament. And what do they all show us but the free choice of the human will? So, again, in the evangelical and apostolic books of the New Testament what other lesson is taught us? As when it is said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth;" Matthew 6:19 and, "Fear not them which kill the body;" Matthew 10:28 and, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself;" Matthew 16:24 and again, "Peace on earth to men of good will." Luke 2:14 So also that the Apostle Paul says: "Let him do what he wills; he sins not if he marry. Nevertheless, he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well." 1 Corinthians 7:36-37 And so again, "If I do this willingly, I have a reward;" 1 Corinthians 9:17 while in another passage he says, "Be sober and righteous, and sin not;" 1 Corinthians 15:34 and again, "As you have a readiness to will, so also let there be a prompt performance;" 2 Corinthians 8:11 then he remarks to Timothy about the younger widows, "When they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they choose to marry." So in another passage, "All that will to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution;" 2 Timothy 3:12 while to Timothy himself he says, "Neglect not the gift that is in you." 1 Timothy 4:14 Then to Philemon he addresses this explanation: "That your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but of your own will." Servants also he advises to obey their masters "with a good will." Ephesians 6:7 In strict accordance with this, James says: "Do not err, my beloved brethren . . . and have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to persons;" and, "Do not speak evil one of another." James 4:11 So also John in his Epistle writes, "Do not love the world," 1 John 2:15 and other things of the same import. Now wherever it is said, "Do not do this," and "Do not do that," and wherever there is any requirement in the divine admonitions for the work of the will to do anything, or to refrain from doing anything, there is at once a sufficient proof of free will. No man, therefore, when he sins, can in his heart blame God for it, but every man must impute the fault to himself. Nor does it detract at all from a man's own will when he performs any act in accordance with God. Indeed, a work is then to be pronounced a good one when a person does it willingly; then, too, may the reward of a good work be hoped for from Him concerning whom it is written, "He shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:27

Chapter 5.

He Shows that Ignorance Affords No Such Excuse as Shall Free the Offender from Punishment; But that to Sin with Knowledge is a Graver Thing Than to Sin in Ignorance.

The excuse such as men are in the habit of alleging from ignorance is taken away from those persons who know God's commandments. But neither will those be without punishment who know not the law of God. "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law." Romans 2:12 Now the apostle does not appear to me to have said this as if he meant that they would have to suffer something worse who in their sins are ignorant of the law than they who know it. [III.] It is seemingly worse, no doubt, "to perish" than "to be judged;" but inasmuch as he was speaking of the Gentiles and of the Jews when he used these words, because the former were without the law, but the latter had received the law, who can venture to say that the Jews who sin in the law will not perish, since they refused to believe in Christ, when it was of them that the apostle said, "They shall be judged by the law"? For without faith in Christ no man can be delivered; and therefore they will be so judged that they perish. If, indeed, the condition of those who are ignorant of the law of God is worse than the condition of those who know it, how can that be true which the Lord says in the gospel: "The servant who knows not his lord's will, and commits things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes; whereas the servant who knows his lord's will, and commits things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with many stripes"? Luke 12:47-48 Observe how clearly He here shows that it is a graver matter for a man to sin with knowledge than in ignorance. And yet we must not on this account betake ourselves for refuge to the shades of ignorance, with the view of finding our excuse therein. It is one thing to be ignorant, and another thing to be unwilling to know. For the will is at fault in the case of the man of whom it is said, "He is not inclined to understand, so as to do good." But even the ignorance, which is not theirs who refuse to know, but theirs who are, as it were, simply ignorant, does not so far excuse any one as to exempt him from the punishment of eternal fire, though his failure to believe has been the result of his not having at all heard what he should believe; but probably only so far as to mitigate his punishment. For it was not said without reason: "Pour out Your wrath upon the heathen that have not known You;" nor again according to what the apostle says: "When He shall come from heaven in a flame of fire to take vengeance on them that know not God." 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 But yet in order that we may have that knowledge that will prevent our saying, each one of us, "I did not know," "I did not hear," "I did not understand;" the human will is summoned, in such words as these: "Wish not to be as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding;" although it may show itself even worse, of which it is written, "A stubborn servant will not be reproved by words; for even if he understand, yet he will not obey." Proverbs 29:19 But when a man says, "I cannot do what I am commanded, because I am mastered by my concupiscence," he has no longer any excuse to plead from ignorance, nor reason to blame God in his heart, but he recognises and laments his own evil in himself; and still to such an one the apostle says: "Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good;" Romans 12:21 and of course the very fact that the injunction, "Consent not to be overcome," is addressed to him, undoubtedly summons the determination of his will. For to consent and to refuse are functions proper to will.

Sayings of the Holy Fathers:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:43:00 +0000

"Prayer is the lifting up of the mind and heart to God. From this it is evident that it is quite impossible for anyone to pray whose mind and heart are attached to anything carnal - for instance, to money or to honors - or who has in his heart passions such as hatred or envy for others, because passions usually contract the heart, in the same way as God expands it and gives it true freedom."

St. John of Kronstadt

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"Just as by the rays of the sun the face of the earth is unveiled from the darkness of the atmosphere that enshrouds it, even so is prayer able to dissolve and scatter the clouds of passions from our soul, and make our mind transparent to the light of gladness and comfort, which, indeed, it customarily produces in our thoughts, but especially when it possesses material from the divine Scriptures and vigilance, which burnish the mind. For continual study in the writings of the saints fills the soul with incomprehensible wonder and divine gladness."

St. Isaac the Syrian

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"Let the good thief show us the confidence we can have in pardon. He was not good because he was a thief, since his cruelty led him to that. His confession of guilt made him good. Think how incomprehensible is the mercy of our all-powerful God! The thief was caught red-handed in his thievery and hanged on a cross. There he confessed his guilt, there he was forgiven, there he was found worthy to hear Jesus say to him: 'Today you will be with me in paradise.' How can we begin to describe God's great goodness! How can we begin to value it? From a criminal's punishment the thief came to the prize for virtue."

St. Gregory the Great

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (Xenia Suaiden) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:38:00 +0000

Friday

LITURGY

Ephesians 6:18-24

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Luke 4:22-30

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

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TRANSLATION OF THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST ST JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN

ST MAWGAN

ST COLMAN ELO

Troparion of St John Tone 2

Apostle beloved of Christ our God,/ hasten to deliver a defenceless people./ He Who allowed thee to recline on His breast/ receives thee bowing in prayer, O John the Theologian./ Implore Him to dispel heathen persistance/ and to grant us peace and mercy.

Troparion of St Mawgan Tone 4

Renowned for thy fatherly teaching/ and the tirelessness of thy missionary endeavours, O Father Mawgan,/ thou art the inspiration of all who call on thee./ Entreat Christ our God that He would spare us to serve Him alone/ and thus attain the rewards of the Blessed.

Troparion of St Colman Elo Tone 8

Following in the footsteps of thy renowned kinsman Columba, O Father Colman Elo,/ thou didst bring many in the Celtic lands to Christ by thy preaching and virtuous life./ Pray that we who hymn thee may be given grace to follow in thy footsteps that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St John Tone 2

Who can tell of thy mighty works, O beloved Saint?/ Thou didst pour forth miracles./ Thou art a source of healing and dost intercede for our souls/ as Theologian and friend of Christ.

22-28

SATURDAY AFTER THE LEAVETAKING OF THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS: SYNAXIS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES

Troparion Tone 4

Kontakion Tone 2

Let us honour with praises the ascetic choir/ as we behold them with our minds and in spirit./ As we venerate their relics, let us bring gifts of love,/ for they pray to God for our souls.