Today's Saint: Honor to Whom Honor Is Due

[MariaRegina]

from: http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/search.asp

On this, the tenth day of the month of July, we commemorate the

45 Martyrs of Nicopolis, Armenia

Our Holy Father Gregory, Bishop of Assa

Through the intercessions of the holy 45 Martyrs of Nicopolis, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

45 Martyrs of Nicopolis, Armenia

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord in their courageous contest for Thee received the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion: Plagal of the Fourth Tone (tone 8)

For love of Christ our God, ye endured many torments valiantly, destroying polytheistic idolatry, O Martyrs of Nicopolis; and by Christ's mighty power, ye destroyed all the error of wicked godlessness. Teach us with faith and boldness to cry aloud: Alleluia.

Reading:

The Forty-five Martyrs of Nicopolis contested during the reign of Licinius, in the year 315. After many torments, they were burnt alive.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[CopticOrthodox]

Thurs July 7 '03: Today is the feast of St. Cyril Pope of Alexandria, whose books on the Incarnation, and on the Gospel of Luke are still available. He participated in the Council of Ephesus.

Today is also the feast of St. Celestine, Pope of Rome who faught agasint the Nestorian heresy

more: http://saintmark.com/classes/synex.php?id=303#1

 

[Philip]

Friday, July 11
Remembrance of the Miracle of Saint Euphemia the All-Praiseworthy

The Holy GreatMartyr Euphemia the All-Praiseworthy was the daughter of Christians -- the senator Philophronos and Theodosia. She suffered for Christ in about the year 304 in the city of Chalcedon, located on the banks of the Bosphorus opposite Constantinople.

The Chalcedon governor Priscus circulated an order to all the inhabitants of Chalcedon and its surroundings to appear at a pagan feast for worship and to offer sacrifice to an idol of Ares (Mars), threatening grave torments for whomever failed to appear. During the time of this impious feast 49 Christians had hidden away at one house, where they secretly made Divine-services to the True God. The young maiden Euphemia was also among those praying there. Soon the hide-out of the Christians was discovered, and they were brought before Priscus to answer for themselves. Over the course of 19 days the martyrs were subjected to various tortures and torments, but none of them wavered in their faith nor consented to offer sacrifice to the idol. The governor, beside himself with rage and not knowing still any further means of forcing the Christians into renunciation, sent them for trial to the emperor Diocletian, but he separated from them the youngest -- the maiden Euphemia, hoping that she, alone by herself, would not hold out.

Saint Euphemia, separated from her brethren in faith, fervently prayed the Lord Jesus Christ, that He Himself would strengthen her in the impending ordeal. Priscus at first urged the saint to recant, promising her earthly blessings, but then he gave the order to torture her. The Martyr was tied to a wheel with sharp knives, which in turning cut at the body. The saint prayed loudly. And here it happened, that the wheel stopped by itself and would not move even with all the efforts of the executioners. An Angel of the Lord, having come down from Heaven, removed Euphemia from the wheel and healed her of her wounds, and with gladness the saint gave thanks unto the Lord.

Not perceiving the miracle that had occurred, the torturer ordered the soldiers Victor and Sosthenes to take the saint to a red-hot oven. But the soldiers, seeing amidst the flames two fearsome Angels, refused to carry out the order of the governor and became themselves believers in the God, Whom Euphemia worshipped. Boldly proclaiming that they too were Christians, Victor and Sosthenes bravely went to suffering. They were given over for devouring by wild beasts. During the time of execution they cried out for mercy to God, that the Lord should receive them into the Heavenly Kingdom. An heavenly Voice answered their cries, and they expired unto life eternal. The beasts however did not even touch their bodies.

Saint Euphemia, cast by other soldiers into the fire, remained unharmed. And with the help of God she emerged unharmed after many another torture and torment. Ascribing this to sorcery, the governor gave orders to dig out a new pit, and filling it with knives he had it covered over with ground and grass, so that the Martyr would not know about the preparation for her execution; but here also Saint Euphemia remained safe, easily passing over the pit. Finally, they sentenced her to be devoured by wild beasts at the circus. Before execution the saint began to implore, that the Lord deem her worthy to die a violent death. But none of the beasts, set loose at her in the arena, attacked her. Finally, one of the she-bears struck her a small wound on the leg, from which came blood, and the holy GreatMartyr Euphemia instantly died. During this time there occurred an earthquake, and both the guards and the spectators ran in terror, so that the parents of the saint were able to take up her body and reverently bury it not far from Chalcedon.

 

[MariaRegina]

Also on this day the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Olga Equal to the Apostles

July 11 St. Olga, Equal to the Apostles

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

Let us offer praise to God, our Benefactor, Who hath greatly glorified divinely-wise and ven'rable and sacred Olga, that by her prayers He grant our souls the forgiveness of trespasses.

Reading:

Saint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband's death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She traveled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/saints.asp?contentid=121

 

[CopticOrthodox]

July 12: The Martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles http://saintmark.com/classes/synex.php?id=305#1

 

[MariaRegina]

On this, the 12th day of July, we commemorate the
feast days of:

Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilarion of Ancyra,
Our Holy Father Michael of Maleinus, and
The Venerable Veronica

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilarion, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilarion of Ancyra

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord in their courageous contest for Thee received the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion: Second Tone

As kinsmen, ye did prove to be of like spirit in your life and of one accord in all things, O renowned Martyr Proclus and godly-minded Hilary; for having yourselves become images of the Passion of Christ, ye were counted worthy of glory, and ye grant divine forgiveness unto all.

Reading:

These Martyrs contested in Ancyra in 106, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan. Saint Proclus was seized as a Christian and, confessing his faith, was burned on his sides and belly, was hung upon a beam with heavy stones tied to his feet, and finally was taken away to be shot with arrows. As he was being led forth, his nephew Hilary encountered him and greeted him, and was himself seized. After his uncle had been slain with arrows, Hilary, because he would not deny Christ, was tormented, then beheaded.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=124

 

[MariaRegina]

July 13, 2003

Sunday of the Holy Fathers

Apolytikion: Plagal of the 4th Tone (8th tone)

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glroy be to Thee.

Kontakion: Plagal of the Fourth Tone (8th tone) - see url below

Reading:

On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together in the Seven Ecumenical Councils, that is: the First Council, of the 318 Fathers who assembled in Nicaea in 325 to condemn Arius, who denied that the Son of God is consubstantial with the Father; the Fathers of the First Council also ordained that the whole Church should celebrate Pascha according to the same reckoning; the Second Council, of the 150 Fathers who assembled in Constantinople in 381 to condemn Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit; the Thrid Council, of the 200 Fathers who assembled in Ephesus in 431, to condemn Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who called Christ a mere man and not God incarnate; the Fourth Council, of the 630 who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches; the Fifth Council in 535, of the 165 who assembled in Constantinople for the second time to condemn Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia, the teacher of Nestorius; the Sixth Council in 680, of the 170 who assembled in Constantinople for the third time, to condemn the Monothelite heresy, which taught that there is in Christ but one will, the divine; and the Seventh Council in 787, of the 350 who assembled in Nicaea for the second time to condemn Iconoclasm

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION (see url listed below) NARTHEX PRESS

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=1182

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=508

On July 13, we also celebrate the feast days of

Holy Martyr Golindoux

Reading:

Saint Golinduc was a Persian, living in the reign of Chosroes II, King of Persia (590-628), and of Maurice, Emperor of New Rome (582-602). Moved by a divine revelation to become a Christian, she was betrayed to Chosroes by her husband and was cast into a dungeon called Oblivion for eighteen years, withstanding all attempts to make her deny Christ, and preserved by the grace of God. Set at liberty through the visitation of an Angel, she went to Jerusalem, and then to Constantinople, where she fell asleep in peace. She was called Mary in holy Baptism.

Our Righteous Father Stephen of St. Sabbas Monastery

Apolytikion: Plagal of the 4th Tone (8th tone)

The guide of Orthodox beliefs, and sacred teacher of true religion and of dignity, the luminary of the world, the God-inspired adornment of the episcopate, O Stephen the wise, through your instructions you have illumined all, O harp of the Spirit. Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion: Third Tone

Since thou wast a man of prayer and an ascetic, O Stephen, thou wast pleasing to the Lord, Who crowned thy labours with wonders; having sought the light of Heaven throughout thy whole life, thou dost now rejoice on high, chanting with the Angels. Hence we honour thee with longing, O righteous Father, as an initiate of God.

Reading:

According to some, the Saint Stephen celebrated today was a nephew of Saint John of Damascus, different from the one celebrated on October 28, who later also became a Bishop.

The Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! "

Kontakion: Plagal of the Second Tone (6th Tone)

As thou beholdest the glory of God in Heaven, and on earth dost bestow grace from on high, O leader of Angels, wise Gabriel, minister of the glory of God, and divine defender of the world, save and keep them that cry to thee: Be thyself our helper, and no one can be against us.

Reading:

It is believed that the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to this day from March 26 so that it could be celebrated more festively than in the period of the Great Fast; and, in fact, all the miracles of the Archangel are celebrated on this feast day, which has been listed here in the church books since the ninth century.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF FR. SERAPHIM DEDES
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

Today, July 14, 2003, we celebrate the feast days of

Holy Apostle Aquila of the Seventy

Apolytikion: Third Tone

O Holy Apostle Aquila, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

Ranked with the Apostles' choir as their companion, O Apostle wise in Christ, thou madest all the world to shine with thy bright doctrines and miracles, O famed Aquila, while gaining a glorious crown.

Reading:

Saint Aquila, who was from Pontus of Asia Minor, was a Jew by race and a tent-maker by trade. In the year 52 he and his wife Priscilla were in Corinth when Saint Paul first came there. They gave him hospitality, and the Apostle remained with them for many days, himself working at the same trade as they (Acts 18:2-3). And having believed in Christ through Paul, they followed him from that time on, working together with him and suffering perils with him for the sake of the preaching of the Gospel, as he himself testifies concerning them in his Epistle to the Romans, saying: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the nations" (Rom. 16:3-4). When and where they reposed is unknown.

AND

Our Holy Father Joseph the Confessor, Archbishop of Thessalonica

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Stephen. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion: Second Tone

The divinely-sounded harp of thy teachings hath glorified the Saviour's majesty, and proclaimed to all the clarity of true doctrine and the honour that is due unto the august icons, O wise Joseph, thou glory of the Fathers.

Reading:

Saint Joseph was the brother of Saint Theodore the Studite (see Nov. 11). He also is called Studite, especially when he is mentioned together with his brother. According to Codinus, both of them composed the canons of the Triodion during the reign of Leo the Armenian, while in the Church of Saint Romanus (see Nov. 18); he is not to be confused with Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (Apr. 3). When Saint Joseph became Archbishop of Thessalonica, he was exiled thrice because of his godly zeal for the holy icons, suffering many hardships, imprisonments in dark dungeons, hunger, thirst, and every tribulation, in the midst of which he departed unto eternal life in 833.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/index.asp?D=7/14/2003&T=19

 

[CopticOrthodox]

Today is the feast of St. Pishoi http://saintmark.com/classes/synex.php?id=308#1

St. Pishoi saw Christ when he prayed, and the other monks begged him to pray that they could see Him like he did. He prayed, and Christ revealed to them a time and a place where they could see Him. On the way there was a feeble man asking for help, but they all ran past him in their egarness to see Christ, except for St. Pishoi who carried him. As they went the man became heavier and heavier until St. Pishoi realized that it was the Lord. The other monks eventually returned to learn how they had missed seeing Him.

 

[MariaRegina]

Today, July 15, we celebrate the feast day of

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir

Kontakion: Plagal of the Fourth Tone (Tone 8)

Like the great Apostle Paul, O most glorious Vladimir, in thy maturity thou didst forsake all zeal for idols and a childish sophism, and as a full-grown man thou wast adorned with the royal purple of divine Baptism. And now as thou standest in joy in the presence of Christ our Saviour, pray that thy land of Russia be saved, and that Orthodox people be granted peace and great mercy.
Reading:

Grandson of Saint Olga, Saint Vladimir ascended the throne of Kiev in 980. Though a zealous idolater, he was illumined by the grace of God, accepted the Christian Faith, and completely changed his ways. He was baptized in Cherson in 988, receiving the name Basil; he came forth from the font not only healed of a blindness lately afflicting him, but also from being passionate and warlike, he became meek, peaceable, and exceedingly godly. Whereas his grandmother had refused marriage with the Emperor in Constantinople (see July 11), he married Anna, sister of the Emperors Basil and Constantine, and was accompanied home by priests from Constantinople. Diligently seeking to spread Christianity throughout his realm like a new Constantine, he destroyed the idols (having the chief diety Perun scourged and then cast into the Dnieper River), and summoned all his subjects to Holy Baptism. He reposed in peace in 1015.

AND

Holy Martyr Cyricus ( Quiricus ) and His Mother Joulitta

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

As the Martyr of Christ God, the chaste Julitta, in her arms bare Cyricus, she cried out in the stadium with manful courage and boundless joy: Thou art the strength of the Martyrs, O Christ my God.
Reading:

Saint Julitta was from the city of Iconium. Fearing the persecution of Diocletian, she took her son Cyricus, who was three years old, and departed for Seleucia; but finding the same evil there, she went over to Tarsus in Cilicia, where the ruler arrested her. He took her son from her and tried with flatteries to draw the youth to himself. But the little one, in his childish voice, called on the Name of Christ and kicked the ruler in the belly so hard, that the tyrant became enraged and cast him down the steps of the tribunal. In this manner, the child's head was crushed, and he gave up the spirit. As for his blessed mother, she first endured many torments, and finally was beheaded in the year 296.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 16, we celebrate the feast days of

Holy Hieromartyr Athenogenes, Bishop of Pedaxthoe
and St. Julia the Virgin Martyr

Through the intercessions of the holy Hieromartyr Athenogenes, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Holy Hieromartyr Athenogenes, Bishop of Pedaxthoe

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Athenogenes. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

Having followed the Lord's teaching, as an eminent shepherd thou didst lay down thy life for Christ's sheep, O Hieromartyr Athenogenes. Wherefore, we praise thee and thy ten disciples who suffered with thee, guided by the fear of God and thy teaching; for the Lord hath crowned you as Saints with His life giving right hand. Pray then to Him in behalf of us all.

APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 17, 2003, we celebrate the feast day of:

Holy Marina the Great Martyr

Through the intercessions of the Holy Great Martyr Marina, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Apolytikion: Plagal of the 4th Tone (Tone 8)

Kontakion: Third Tone

APOLYTIKION and KONTAKION (see url listed above) NARTHEX PRESS

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

On this day, July 18, 2003, we celebrate the feast days of:

Holy Martyr Emilian
Holy Martyrs Paul, Thea and Oulalentine
Our Holy Father John, Archbishop of Constantinople

Through the intercessions of the Holy Martyr Emilian, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Holy Martyr Emilian

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

Thy Martyr, O Lord in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion: Third Tone

O divine Emilian, since zeal for God burned within thee, thou wast not afraid of fire, thy fellow creature and servant; fearlessly and of thine own will, thou wentest forward and wast not consumed therein by the flames' hot fury, as a sacrifice to Christ God, O glorious martyr; pray that we all may be saved.

Reading:

This Martyr was from Dorostolum in Thrace, the servant of a certain pagan in the days of Julian the Apostate (361-363). As a fervent Christian, Emilian abominated the error of the pagans, and one day entered the temple and broke all the idols with a hammer. Seeing that others were arrested and beaten for this, he gave himself up of his own accord. He was mercilessly whipped, then cast into a fire, in which he gave up his soul without his body suffering harm.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 19, 2003, we celebrate the feast days of

Our Holy Mother Macrina, Sister of St. Basil the Great
Our Righteous Father Dius, and the
Translation of the Holy Relics of Righteous Seraphim of Sarov

Through the intercessions of the Holy Mother Macrina, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Our Holy Mother Macrina, Sister of St. Basil the Great

Apolytikion: Plagal of the 4th Tone (Tone 8)

The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Mother. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Macrina, your soul rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

Since the light of righteousness shone brightly in thee, thou wast an example of the life of piety for all, teaching the virtues to them that cry: Rejoice, Macrina, thou boast of virginity.

Reading:

Saint Macrina, the elder sister of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, was sought after by many as a bride because of her beauty, wisdom, and illustrious birth, and in tender youth was espoused by her parents to a bridegroom of fitting nobility. When her betrothed died, Macrina refused any other suitors, and devoted herself to a life of virginity, asceticism, and prayer. When her brother Basil returned from a brilliant career in the best schools of Constantinople and Athens, puffed up with not a little youthful pride-for knowledge puffeth up-it was the ardent admonitions and holy example of his blessed sister that persuaded him to turn from seeking worldly glory to the service of God. Saint Macrina founded a convent, where she ended her earthly life in the year 379, and was buried by her brother Gregory, who wrote a moving account of her last days and his grief at seeing such a light pass out of the world.

Our Righteous Father Dius

Apolytikion: First Tone

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Moses, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

Kontakion: Second Tone

In God, thou wast armed with purity of heart and soul; and taking in hand unceasing prayer as though a spear, Father Dius, thou didst mightily cut down all the demonic hordes, thou who workest wonders and signs and prayest unceasingly for all of us.

Reading:

Saint Dius, who was from Antioch in Syria, later came to Constantinople and established a monastery there, and wrought many wonders. He flourished in the time of Saint Theodosius the Great (379-395).

Translation of the Holy Relics of Righteous Seraphim of Sarov

Kontakion: Second Tone

Having left the beauty of the world and what is corrupt therein, O Saint, thou didst settle in the Monastery of Sarov. And having lived there an angelic life, thou wast for many the way unto salvation. Wherefore, Christ hath glorified thee, O Father Seraphim, and hath enriched thee with the gift of healing and miracles. And so we cry to thee: Rejoice, O Seraphim, our holy Father.

Reading:

The uncovering of the holy relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov on July 19, 1903 was attended by many thousands, among them the foremost of the clergy and royalty; the holy Tsar Nicholas II (see July 4) was one of the bearers of the relics in procession, and the Grand Duchess Elizabeth (see July 5) wrote an eyewitness account of the many miracles that took place. Not only had the Saint foretold the coming of the Tsar to his glorification, and that from joy they would chant "Christ is Risen" in summer, but he had also left a letter "for the fourth sovereign, who will come to Sarov." This was Nicholas II, who was given the letter when he came in 1903; the contents of the letter are not known, but when he had read it, the Tsar and future Martyr, though not a man to show his emotions, was visibly shaken. For the life of Saint Seraphim, see January 2.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 20, 2003, we celebrate the feast day of

The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias the Tishbite.

Through the intercessions of the Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias the Tishbite

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone - see url above

Kontakion: Second Tone - see url above

Reading:

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION and KONTAKION (see url above) NARTHEX PRESS

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 21, we celebrate the feast days of:

Our Holy Father John and Simeon, the Fool for Christ
Our Holy Father Parthenius, Bishop of Radobysidius

Through the intercessions of our Holy Father John and of Simeon, the Fool for Christ, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Our Holy Father John and Simeon, the Fool for Christ

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

O God of our Fathers, ever dealing with us according to Thy gentleness: take not Thy mercy from us, but by their entreaties guide our life in peace.

Kontakion: Second Tone

With faith and love let us acclaim angelic and God-bearing Symeon who, though in the flesh, appeared as one without flesh and shone supernaturally with virtues; and with him let us praise renowned John, for they intercede with the Lord unceasingly for us all.

Reading:

These Saints were from the city of Edessa in Mesopotamia and flourished during the reign of Justin the Younger (565-578). After a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were moved with a desire to forsake the world; they were tonsured monks by the Abbot Nicon, and soon after left the monastery to struggle together in the wilderness near the Dead Sea. When they had passed a little more than thirty years together in silence and prayer, Symeon, having reached the heights of dispassion, departed for Emesa in Syria, where he passed the rest of his life playing the fool, saving many souls from sin while hiding his sanctity with seemingly senseless behavior. He reposed in 570; by the providence of God, John, who had remained in the wilderness, departed soon after.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 22, we celebrate the feast days of:

St. Mary Magdalene the Myrrhbearer and Equal to the Apostles and the Holy Virgin Martyr Marcella of Chios

Through the intercessions of the Holy Myrrhbearer St. Mary Magdalene, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

St. Mary Magdalene the Myrrhbearer and Equal to the Apostles

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

When God, the Mighty, the Transcendent in essence, came in the flesh into the world, He received thee, O Mary, as His true disciple as was meet. For thou hadst thy whole desire and thy love set upon Him; wherefore, thou didst bring to pass many cures for the ailing; and now translated to the Heavens' heights, thou ever fervently prayest for all the world.

Reading:

Saint Mary was from Magdala in Galilee on the Sea of Tiberias, and for this was named Magdalene. When the Lord Jesus cast out seven demons from her, from which she had been suffering, she became His faithful and inseparable disciple, following Him and ministering unto Him even to the time of His crucifixion and burial. Then, returning to Jerusalem together with the rest of the Myrrh-bearers, she prepared the fragrant spices for anointing the body of the Lord. And on the Lord's day they came very early to the tomb, even before the Angels appeared declaring the Resurrection of the Lord. When Mary Magdalene saw the stone taken away from the tomb, she ran and proclaimed it to Peter and John. And returning immediately to the tomb and weeping outside, she was deemed worthy to be the first of the Myrrh-bearers to behold the Lord arisen from the dead, and when she fell at His feet, she heard Him say, "Touch Me not." After the Lord's Ascension, nothing certain is known concerning her. Some accounts say that she went to Rome and later returned to Jerusalem, and from there proceeded to Ephesus, where she ended her life, preaching Christ. Although it is sometimes said that Saint Mary Magdalene was the "sinful woman" of the Gospel, this is nowhere stated in the tradition of the Church, in the sacred hymnology, or in the Holy Gospels themselves, which say only that our Lord cast seven demons out of her, not that she was a fallen woman. "Madeleine" is a form of Magdalene.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Holy Virgin Martyr Marcella of Chios

Apolytikion: First Tone

Submitting to the laws of the Lord's divine teachings, you strove to keep them blamelessly, O Martyr Markella. And fearing the violence of your father, you fled from him and dwelt in the mountains. Pursuing you he found you and slew you, O undefiled bride of Christ. Glory to Him who strengthened you. Glory to Him who crowned you. Glory to Him who works healings for all through you.

APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF FR. SERAPHIM DEDES

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 23, we celebrate the feast days of:

Righteous Mother Pelagia of Tinos
St. Anna of Levkadio
St. Phocas the Priest-martyr
The Holy Prophet Ezekiel

Through the intercessions of the Holy Prophet Ezekiel, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

St. Phocas the Priest-martyr

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Phocas. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion: Second Tone

The Master hath established thee as a divinely-radiant, luminous, and spiritual sun shining upon the multitude of the church's faithful, O glorious Martyr Phocas; for He hath accepted thy life, faith, and contests as fragrant myrrh, since He alone is abundant in mercy.

Reading:

Concerning Saint Phocas, see the 22nd of September.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

The Holy Prophet Ezekiel

Apolytikion: Third Tone

As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Ezekiel, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

O divine Ezekiel, as God's true Prophet, thou foretoldest unto all the Incarnation of the Lord, the Lamb of God, the Artificer, the Son of God, the Eternal made manifest.

Reading:

The Prophet Ezekiel ("God is strong") was the son of Buzi and a priest by rank. He was taken captive and brought to Babylon during the reign of Jechonias. In the fifth year of this captivity, about 594 or 593 B.C., he began to prophesy. Having prophesied for about twenty-eight years, he was murdered, it is said, by the tribe of Gad, because he reproached them for their idolatry. His book of prophecy, divided into forty-eight chapters, is ranked third among the greater Prophets. It is richly filled with mystical imagery and marvelous prophetic visions and allegories, of which the dread Chariot of Cherubim described in the first Chapter is the most famous; in the "gate that was shut," through which the Lord alone entered, he darkly foretold of the Word's Incarnation from the Virgin (44:1-3); through the "dry bones" that came to life again (37:1-14), he prophesied both of the restoration of captive Israel, and the general resurrection of our race.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/

 

[MariaRegina]

http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/search.asp

Today, July 24, we celebrate the feast days of:

Athenagorus the Apologist
Holy Great Martyr Christina
Holy Martyrs and Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb of Russia

Through the intercessions of the Holy Great Martyr Christina, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Holy Great Martyr Christina

Apolytikion: Fourth Tone

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.

Kontakion: Fourth Tone

O dove of golden wings, thou shonest like lightning, and flewest up unto the height of the Heavens, august Christian; therefore we all celebrate thy glorious festival, as we faithfully rev'rence the worshipful shrine wherein thy pure relics are treasured, whence thou dost truly well forth unto all divine cures both for the body and for the soul.

Reading:

Saint Christina was from Tyre in Syria, the daughter of a pagan named Urban. Enlightened in her heart to believe in Christ, she broke her father's idols, made of gold and silver, and distributed the pieces to the poor. When her father learned this, he punished her ruthlessly, then cast her into prison. The rulers subjected her to imprisonments, hunger, torments, the cutting off of her breasts and tongue, and finally impalement, in the year 200, during the reign of the Emperor Septimius Severus.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
APOLYTIKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Holy Martyrs and Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb of Russia

Kontakion: Third Tone

On this day your memory hath shone forth, splendid with glory, O ye noble sufferers and Passion-bearers of Christ God. It hath called us to give glory to Christ our Saviour; wherefore those that draw nigh to the shrine of your relics, do ye swiftly heal as wise and divine physicians, O hallowed Boris and Gleb.

Reading:

The holy Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, named Romanus and David in sacred Baptism, were the pious sons of the holy Great Prince Vladimir. In 1015 they were slain at the command of their brother Svyatopolk-Saint Boris, on July 24 on the Alta River, near Pereyaslavl, and Saint Gleb, on September 5 on the bank of the Smyadinya River, near Smolensk. Although both had understood their brother's designs against them, they refused to take up arms against him and bring civil war upon their land, preferring to fulfill the commandment, "Resist not evil" (Matt. 5:39). The holy relics of Saint Boris were then buried in Vyshgorod, to which the holy relics of his brother were transferred five years later. Miracles were worked through the holy relics of the meek and guileless brothers during the consecration in Vyshgorod of a church in their honor on this day in 1021.

READING COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY, BROOKLINE, MA
KONTAKION COURTESY OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION MONASTERY

Note: Permission has been received to reproduce these copyrighted texts here, but with the condition that all texts used are reproduced by permission from Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, and that the selections are taken from their Great Horologion. You may visit them at http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/