Saints/Feasts/Fasts to be commemmorated/celebrated: + Kidane Mehret
Daily Readings
Week One, Day Five
The Fifth Day
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father and the Son…
Opening Prayer
God our Almighty Father, who are the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the creator of the day and the night. We ask you in prayer to bless this new day for our daily task through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. Our Father…
Psalm 24: 1- end
24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 24:2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 24:6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek your face, O Jacob. Selah. 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 24:9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 25: 1 - 22
25:1 To thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 25:3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 25:4 Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 25:5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 25:6 Remember, O Lord, your tender mercies and your loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to your mercy remember me for your goodness' sake, O Lord. 25:8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 25:10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those that keep his covenant and his testimonies. 25:11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 25:12 What man is he that fears the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 25:13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. 25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 25:16 Turn thee to me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 25:19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 25:22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 26: 1 – 12
26:1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 26:3 For your loving-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in your truth. 26:4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 26:5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. 26:6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass your altar, O Lord: 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wondrous works. 26:8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house, and the place where your honour dwells. 26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 26:10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful to me. 26:12 My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Reading
1st Reading
Tobit 4:15-19
4:15 Do that to no man which thou hates: drink not wine to make thee drunken: neither let drunkenness go with thee in your journey. 4:16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your garments to them that are naked; and according to your abundance give alms: and let not your eye be envious, when you give alms. 4:17 Pour out your bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked. 4:18 Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable. 4:19 Bless the Lord your God always, and desire of him that your ways may be directed, and that all your paths and counsels may prosper: forevery nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself gives all good things, and he humbles whom he will, as he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, neither let them be put out of your mind. He who receives the prophet in the name of the prophet shall receive the prophet reward.
2nd Reading
2 Thessalonians 3: 10b – 13
3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 67: 1 – 2
67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. Halleluiah stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Matthew 7: 7 – 12
7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever you wish that men should do to you, do so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Heaven and earth…
Concluding Prayer,
Almighty, ever-living God, we ask, seek and knock in prayer your support, mercy and your Fatherly love. Grant us all our daily need this day and every day. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our Father…
Day 5
Evening Prayer
In the name of the father and the son…
Opening Prayer
Lord God, true light, giver of light, source of light and Creator of light, grant that faithful pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of your presence. We make our morning prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son. Amen. Our Father…
Psalm 27: 1 – end
27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises to the Lord. 27:7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said to thee, Your face, Lord, will I seek. 27:9 Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 27:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 27:12 Deliver me not over to the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 28: 1 – end
28:1 To thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry to thee, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle. 28:3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. 28:4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. 28:5 Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. 28:6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him. 28:8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. 28:9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up forever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 29: 1 – end
29:1 Give to the Lord, O ye mighty, give to the Lord glory and strength. 29:2 Give to the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 29:3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thunders: the Lord is upon many waters. 29:4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 29:5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yea, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 29:6 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 29:7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. 29:8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 29:9 The voice of the Lord makes the hinds to calve, and discovers the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 29:10 The Lord sits upon the flood; yea, the Lord sits King forever. 29:11 The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Isaiah 33: 13 – 16
33:13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet shall receive the prophet reward.
2nd Reading
Colossians 1: 9 – 11
1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 18: 1 – 2
18:1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Halleluiah! Stand and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Mark 14: 32 – 42
14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he takes with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful to death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and finds them sleeping, and saith to Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrays me is at hand. He who receives the saint” by the name of the saint, shall receive the saint’s reward. Or Heaven and Earth…
Concluding Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world through your suffering: We ask you in our prayer to grant us your grace, and accept our prayer and work of this day, and give us the rest we need. Amen. Our Father…
The Synaxarium
THE THIRD MONTH
HEDAR 16
(November 25)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day was consecrated the church of the blessed Saint ‘Abunafer, the dweller in the desert, [which is built] outside the city of Mesr (Cairo). Salutation to the consecration of thy house outside the city of Mesr (Cairo), which thou protect from heat and from cold by the hair of thy head and thy flowing beard.
And on this day also died the holy father, Abba John, the forty-eighth Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. This father was from the country of Cyprus, and he was exceedingly rich, and he lived in the city of Alexandria; and his father was governor of the city and he had married a wife and begotten children. After this his wife died and his children, and forthwith he gave all his possessions to the poor and needy. And he became a monk and he fought strenuously and became an ascetic, and he multiplied greatly his ascetic labors. And he pleased God by his works, and his faith, and the beauty of his singing, and his righteousness, and his excellence. And all the bishops of the country of Egypt agreed together, and they took him against his will and they made him Archbishop of the city of Alexandria, and he took his seat upon the throne of Mark the evangelist. And he read the Holy Gospel and his light appeared in the manner wherein he fulfilled the duties of his position and his office, and he worked many miracles and wonders. And he used to give to the poor and needy each day regularly whatsoever they lacked, and because of this Abba John, Archbishop of the city of Alexandria, used to be called “the merciful.” And the Jews and pagans held him in great reverence, and they feared him and honored him, even as it is written in the history of his strife; and he shepherded his flock wisely and well, and he pleased God, and he died in peace. Salutation to Archbishop Kiri, who was called “John the Merciful.”
And on this day also Saint Xystus the bishop became a martyr by the hand of Maximus the governor, who tortured the holy man with severe tortures and then cut off his head with the sword. And Xystus received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of the heavens. Salutation to Xystus the martyr.
And on this day also Saint Tatus (Tatia) became a martyr in the city of Rome, under Alexander the governor. Having had her brought before him he said unto her, “Sacrifice to my gods”; and she said, “I will only sacrifice to Jesus Christ my God.” And the governor commanded [his soldiers] to strip off the veil of her face, and when he saw her he marveled at her beauty. Her eyes were like the stars of the heavens, her figure was like the palm, and her beauty was like that of the rose; and there was none who could be compared with her at that time. When the governor saw her his heart was carried away by love for her, and he said unto her, “Obey me. Offer sacrifice to the great god Apollo, and I will make thee mistress of the palace.” And Saint Tatus (Tatia) said unto him, “I am the bride of Jesus Christ, and I will worship none but He. Permit me to go into the shrines of thy gods for I would see their power”; and the governor took her into the house of his gods. And when Saint Tatus (Tatia) had gone in she prayed and entreated God to destroy the idols, and straightway there was an earthquake, and the idols fell down from their thrones, and Apollo, their greatest idol, fell down and was broken in pieces, and many of the priests of the temple died. And the foul spirit who was in Apollo cried out, saying, “What hast thou to do with me, O holy woman of God? Behold thou hast broken in pieces my abode, and thou hast cast me out from it.” When the emperor saw this he commanded his soldiers to throw her down on her face and to beat her with whips until the blood flowed from her body, now her blood was as white as milk, and they beat her until their muscles were tired. And the angels of God inflicted pains on those who were beating her, but their torturing affected Saint Tatus (Tatia) in no way. And the emperor also commanded the soldiers to give her to a famished lion, but when the lion came to her he crouched at her feet and licked them; and a voice came from heaven, saying, “Rejoice, O pure one, for I am with thee.” And when the emperor saw that there was no way of touching her he commanded the soldiers to cut off her head with the sword, and the soldiers did so, and she finished her fight. And the Bishop of Rome came by night, and he wrapped her body up in costly cloths, and laid it in a chest inlaid with gold and silver, and innumerable miracles took place through her body. Salutation to Tatus (Tatia), perfect within and without, the dust at whose feet the lion licked.
And on this day also are commemorated Daniel the monk, and the Emperor Honorius. This Abba Daniel was a fighter in the desert of Scete, in the monastery of Abba Mararius, and he lived for forty years and a half without tasting bread, or fish, or honey, or oil, for he ate nothing except herbs and water. And after he had done this for [many] days, a boastful idea came to him, and he said in his heart, “Who is there among the dwellers in the desert of Scete that can fast as long as I do?” When God saw the pride of his heart He sent unto him a shining angel who said unto him, “Why, O Daniel, dost thou boast thyself thus arrogantly, which is not good? Our Lord Jesus Christ desires not pride but lowliness, and fear, and trembling.” And Daniel said unto the angel, “Tell me, my lord, if there is anyone better than myself so that I may go and see him and I will confess to my God that I have sinned.” And the angel said unto him, “Honorius, Emperor of Rome (Constantinia), is a pure and holy man, and a fearer of God, he shall be thy companion in the kingdom of the heavens.” When Abba Daniel heard this he bowed and knelt down on the ground, and threw dust on his head, and he asked God to bring him to the City of Rome (Constantinia) in His wisdom and power and to show him the emperor. And whilst he was praying thus a cloud came by the command of God and brought him to the gates of Constantinia, and he found there a servant of the Emperor Honorius. When the servant saw Abba Daniel, he was blessed by him, and he said unto him, “O my father, what is thy wish? For what hast thou come hither?” And Abba Daniel said unto him, “If thou art able to lead me to one of the nobles of the city so that he may take me to the emperor, [do so].” And the servant said unto him, “If I myself could take thee to the emperor wouldst thou come?” And Abba Daniel said unto him, “If thou hast power to bring me to him God be blessed.” And the servant said unto him, “O my father, what wouldst thou do with the sight of an earthly and mortal emperor? Would it not be better for thee to see the kingdom of the heavens?” And Abba Daniel said unto him, “If my God had not commanded me I should not have come hither.” And the servant said unto him, “Wait, O my father, until I buy what my master requires”; and straightway he bought bread, and salt, and vegetables, and vinegar. And the servant took him to the place where Honorius was with a fellow monk, whose name was Eulogius, according to his custom. After Honorius returned from the place of [giving] judgment, he put on sackcloth and clean raiment and sat down. And the servant leaving Abba Daniel outside the door went in, and when Honorius saw him he said unto him, “Art thou mad that thou makest Abba Daniel to stand outside the door?” And Honorius went out with his companion, and he received Abba Daniel, and bowed down at his feet, and they saluted each other with greetings of peace, and they went into the chamber and sat down; and at the ninth hour the servant brought them food to eat, and they rose up and prayed. Now Abba Daniel was afraid to eat bread lest he should fall ill, and he said unto Honorius and his companion, “O my lords, murmur not against me because I do not eat bread; it is not through pride that I refrain but through fear of sickness.” Then they gave him a few herbs and he ate according to his wont. When they had finished the prayer of the table Honorius enquired of Abba Daniel about his coming. And Abba Daniel said unto him, “If thou art able I wish thee to bring me to the Emperor, for I have come [to see him] at the command of Christ.” And on the following day Honorius put on royal apparel, which bewitched the sight, and he sat upon his throne, and he made [his servant] bring in Abba Daniel. And when Daniel saw the emperor he was afraid and trembled, and the servant seeing his fear took him from there and brought him to his abode. When the judging was ended Honorius threw off his [royal] apparel, and put on the garb of the monk, and went back to his dwelling. And when Abba Daniel saw him, he said, “Why didst thou not take me to the king, so that I might tell him what is in my heart and return to my place?” And Honorius said unto him, “Why didst thou come?” And Abba Daniel said unto him, “Thy servant brought me”; and when Honorius heard this he marveled and said unto him, “I am Honorius whom men call ‘Emperor of the Earth,’ and thou hast seen me sitting on my transitory throne.” When Abba Daniel heard this he bowed down at his feet, and adjured him to tell him the story of all his life. And the Emperor Honorius told him that for forty years he had neither eaten food nor worn raiment which he had not earned by the labor of his hands, that is to say the weaving of palm fiber, that what was left of his daily food he gave to the poor, that his food was bread, and herbs, and vinegar and salt, that he never cursed any man, that he never craved for the goods of any man, and that he had kept himself a virgin. When Abba Daniel heard this he said unto him, “Forgive me for boasting myself over thee”; and Abba Daniel departed to his place sorrowfully, and in tears. After two months had passed Honorius and his teacher Eulogius agreed together, and he departed from the palace, and God sent an angel who carried him to Abba Daniel, and they finished their strife and they both died on the same day; and Eulogius and his disciple also died on that day. Salutation to Honorius and to Abba Daniel his companion. Salutation to Eulogius and to his servant who dwell together in heaven.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
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