From Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 4:10-18
Luke 10:1-15
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Friday of the 5th Week
Averkios, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Wonderworker of Hierapolis
Seven Holy Martyred Youths of Ephesus
St. Cecilia the Martyr
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 4:10-18
BRETHREN, Aristarchos my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of
Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions-if he comes to
you, receive him), and Jesus who is called Justos. These are the only
men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of
God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of
yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you
earnestly in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in
all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard
for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved
physician and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brethren at
Laodicea, and Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has
been read among you, have it read also in the church of the
Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to
Archippos, "See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the
Lord." I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my
fetters. Grace be with you. Amen.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 10:1-15
At that time, the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on
ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself
was about to come. And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful,
but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you
out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no
sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first
say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your
peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And
remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the
laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you
enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the
sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into
its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our
feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom
of God has come near.' I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on
that day for Sodom than for that town.
'Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works
done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented
long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more
tolerable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you,
Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to
Hades."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Averkios, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Wonderworker of Hierapolis
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Abercius, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia in the times of Marcus
Aurelius, was adorned with the grace of wonderworking and with apostolic
zeal. During a festival in honour of Apollo, the chief deity of
Hierapolis, the holy bishop was instructed in a revelation to destroy the
idols. He went to the temple by night and overturned the statues of
Apollo and the others. When this was discovered, the Saint boldly cried
out that the gods, becoming drunk from the wine of the libations
offered them, had struck one against another in their confusion. A
multitude of furious pagans came to avenge the insult to their gods, but
when the Saint cast the demons out of three afflicted young men, fear
fell upon the idolaters and they with the whole city became Christian.
After many labours, and afflictions, Saint Abercius reposed in peace
about the year 167 (or, according to some, 186).
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of
faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause,
thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O
Father and Hierarch Avercius, intercede with Christ God that our souls
be saved.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The Church of all the faithful doth acclaim thee, O Abercius, as a
great priest and a worthy companion of the twelve Apostles of the Lord.
By thy prayers, O blest Hierarch, keep the Church safe from every
vain-minded heresy, unconquered and unshaken for ever, O thou most wondrous
one.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Seven Holy Martyred Youths of Ephesus
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Seven Youths hid themselves in a certain cave near Ephesus in the
year 250, to escape the persecution of Decius. By divine grace, a
sleep came upon them and they slept for 184 years, until the reign of
Saint Theodosius the Younger, when the doctrine of the resurrection was
being assailed by heretics. They then awoke, that is, were resurrected,
confirming in the sight of all the bodily resurrection; and again after a
short time, by divine command, they reposed in the Lord in the year
434.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as
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 in the Fourth Tone
They that scorned all things in the world as corrupted and found the
gifts that nothing ever corrupteth, behold, they died, and yet
corruption touched them not. Wherefore, after many years once again they
all rose up, burying all unbelief of malicious revilers. Ye
faithful, let us laud the seven youths with hymns of praise on this day,
while extolling Christ.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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