From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:4-8
Luke 16:15-18; 17:1-4
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Friday of the 9th Week
Obadiah the Prophet
Barlaam of Caesarea
Anthimos, Thallalaeos, Christopher, Euphemia & her children, the Martyrs
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:4-8
TIMOTHY, my son, everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be
rejected if it is received with thanksgiving; for then it is consecrated
by the word of God and prayer. If you put these instructions before
the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished
on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have
followed. Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself
in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness
is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come. Take heed to yourself and to your
teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and
your hearers.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 16:15-18; 17:1-4
The Lord said to the Jews who came to him, "You are those who justify
yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among
men is an abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets
were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is
preached, and every one enters it violently. But it is easier for heaven
and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to become void.
Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery,
and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits
adultery."
And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come;
but woe to him by whom they come! It would be better for him if a
millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that
he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Take heed to
yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him;
and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you
seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Obadiah the Prophet
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Divine Scriptures do not tell us with any certainty when the
Prophet Abdias lived nor what was his homeland. Thus, some say that he is
that Abdias who was Ahab's steward, who, because of Jezebel's wrath,
hid one hundred prophets in a cave and fed them with bread and water
(III Kings 18:4), and that he later became a disciple of Elias the
Prophet about 903 B.C. But others surmise from the words of the same
prophetical book that he is somewhat later than Joel (celebrated on Oct. 19).
He is also called Obdiu, or Abdiu, or Obadiah; his name means
"servant of God." His book of prophecy, which consists of only one
chapter, is ranked fourth among the minor Prophets.
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Obadiach, O Lord, through
him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As a divinely-chosen Prophet, thou foretoldest things far off, that
on Mount Sion salvation should come to pass, for Heaven's myst'ries
shone on thee; as thou dwellest in Heaven with the Prophets, rejoicing
in Christ whom ye foretold, entreat Him, O Abdias, to save us, who
honour thee with love.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Barlaam of Caesarea
Kontakion in the Third Tone
Weak with age, yet thou didst slay him that is ancient in evil when
thou didst present to Christ thy burnt right hand and sweet incense;
for thou barest bitter tortures with great endurance, casting down
the fleshless foe with thy fleshly suff'rings. Now thou standest at
the right hand of thy Creator, O valiant martyr Barlaam.
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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