from The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Thursday, November 25, 2010
Fast Day (Fish Allowed)
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
Mark 5:24-34
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Apodosis of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple
Katherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria
Mercurios the Great Martyr of Caesarea in Cappadocia
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
BRETHREN, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under
restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian
until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that
faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus
you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for
you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you
are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the
heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is
the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees
until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we
were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the
time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, to redeem those who were
under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Mark 5:24-34
At that time, a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And
there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who
had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she
had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the
reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his
garment. For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I shall be made
well." And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body
that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself
that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the
crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?" And his disciples said to
him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who
touched me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman,
knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell
down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her,
"Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your
disease."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Apodosis of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's
salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and
foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice,
"Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber
and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord,
bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She
is the heavenly tabernacle.
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press
Katherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas
(or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste,
and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast
understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of
Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the
mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute
with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305.
Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai,
where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of
Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of
the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint
Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius
were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy
Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the
25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the
request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival
of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively
together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The
Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original
dates.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine
Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly
silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now,
crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
O friends of martyrs, now divinely raise up a renewed chorus,
praising the all-wise Katherine. For, she proclaimed Christ in the arena,
trampled on the serpent, and spat upon the knowledge of the orators.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press
Mercurios the Great Martyr of Caesarea in Cappadocia
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Mercurius came from Cappadocia, and was the son of Gordian, a
Scythian. A young man, and a soldier of high rank, he refused to offer
sacrifice to the idols, and after torments was beheaded during the reign of
Valerian (253-260).
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 Second Tone
O wise one, thou wast initiated solemnly in matters divine, O
all-renowned Mercurius, and becamest an acceptable sacrifice when eagerly thou
didst drink the cup of Christ God; and now thou dost ceaselessly pray
for us all.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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