From The Greek Orthodox Church Diocese Of America:
Readings for today:
Acts of the Apostles 2:14-21
Luke 9:23-27
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Tuesday of the 5th Week
Joel the Prophet
St. Varys the Martyr
St. John of Rilas
Felix the Hieromartyr & Eusebius the Deacon
John the Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Epistle Reading
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 2:14-21
IN THOSE DAYS, standing with the eleven, Peter lifted up his voice
and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in
Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men
are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the
day; but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And in the
last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit
upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
yea, and on my menservants and my maid servants in those days I will
pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders
in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire,
and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned into darkness and the
moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and
manifest day. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord
shall be saved.' "
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 9:23-27
The Lord said to his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let
him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For
whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for
my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains
the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed
of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he
comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste
death before they see the kingdom of God."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Joel the Prophet
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Prophet Joel, whose name means "Yah is God," was of the tribe of
Reuben, the son of Bathuel, and lived from 810 to 750 B.C. (but some say
in the 7th century B.C.). His book is divided into three chapters,
and is the second in order of the minor Prophets. He foretold the
coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Joel 2:28, and quoted
by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:17), and the saving power of the Name
of our Lord Jesus Christ (Joel 2:32).
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Joel, O Lord, through him
we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the First Tone
Since thou hadst seen the glory of God in the spirit, thou truly didst
foreknow His divine dispensation; for as thou didst say, God's Spirit is
poured forth upon all flesh that believeth in Him Who appeared to the
earthborn in a servant's form and made thee wondrous for ever, O Joel, thou
seer of God.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
St. Varys the Martyr
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Varus contested for the sake of Christ during the reign of
Maximian, in the year 304. He was a soldier in the service of the Emperor
Maximian, and held in honour for his courage. While in Egypt, he visited
the Christians held in prison and comforted them. Among them, he
visited seven monks imprisoned together; when one of them died from his
torments' Saint Varus took his place. When this became known to the
governor, Saint Varus was arrested and tortured to death.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the
prize of 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 in the Third Tone
Since thou hadst put on thyself thy Master's Cross as a breastplate,
thou didst blunt and bring to nought the tyrants' wicked devices.
Thou didst bear most savage tortures upon thy body; valiantly didst
thou then finish thy godly contest. Hence from God, O noble Varus,
thou wast adorned in a crown august and divine.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
St. John of Rilas
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint John of Rila founded the renowned monastery of that name in
Bulgaria in the tenth century. Over the centuries, great and wondrous
healings have flowed from his holy relics.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Thy life was a foundation of repentance, a model of compunction, an
image of consolation and spiritual perfection equal to the Angels, O
Saint; for thou didst persevere in prayer, fasting, and tears. O Father
John, intercede with Christ our God for our souls.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Emulating the life of the Angels, O Saint, and leaving behind all earthly
things, thou didst run unto Christ. And protecting thyself with His
commandments, thou wast shown to be a pillar that no attacks of the enemy could
shake. Wherefore, we cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father John, most
brilliant light.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
John the Wonderworker of Kronstadt
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint John of Kronstadt was a married priest, who lived with his wife
in virginity. Through his untiring labours in his priestly duties
and love for the poor and sinners, he was granted by our Lord great
gifts of clairvoyance and miracle-working, to such a degree that in the
last years of his life miracles of healing--both of body and
soul--were performed countless times each day through his prayers, often for
people who had only written to him asking his help. During his lifetime
he was known throughout Russia, as well as in the Western world. He
has left us his diary My Life in Christ as a spiritual treasure for
Christians of every age; simple in language, it expounds the deepest
mysteries of our Faith with that wisdom which is given only to a heart
purified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Foreseeing as a true prophet
the Revolution of 1917, he unsparingly rebuked the growing apostasy
among the people; he foretold that the very name of Russia would be
changed. As the darkness of unbelief grew thicker, he shone forth as a
beacon of unquenchable piety, comforting the faithful through the many
miracles that he worked and the fatherly love and simplicity with which he
received all. Saint John reposed in peace in 1908.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
O Wonderworker living in Christ for ever, with love have mercy on
them that are in danger; hear thy children who call upon thee with
faith; be thou compassionate unto them that hope for aid from thee, O
Father John of Kronstadt, our beloved shepherd.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
O Thou who from infancy wast chosen by God, and in childhood didst
miraculously receive from Him the gift of learning, and wast gloriously called
to the priesthood in a vision during sleep: Thou didst prove to be
a wondrous shepherd of the Church of Christ, O Father John,
namesake
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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