Daily Readings:
Week Three, Day Six
The Twentieth Day
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Fast of the Nativity
+ St. Deqsius
Day 20
Morning prayer
In the name of the Father …
Opening prayer
O God, our refuge and our strength, who are the author of all godliness; be ready, we pray you, to hear the devout prayer of your servants; and grant us that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; and may your grace be with us forever and ever. Amen. Our Father….O my Lady Mary…
Psalm 102: 1-28
102:1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to thee. 102:2 Hide not your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline your ear to me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. 102:3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. 102:4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 102:5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. 102:10 Because of your indignation and your wrath: for you have lifted me up, and cast me down. 102:11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. 102:12 But thou, O Lord, shall endure forever; and your remembrance to all generations. 102:13 Thou shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 102:14 For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 102:15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory. 102:16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. 102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; 102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 102:21 To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 102:22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. 102:23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. 102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: your years are throughout all generations. 102:25 Of old have you laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of your hands. 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shall endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shall thou change them, and they shall be changed: 102:27 But you are the same, and your years shall have no end. 102:28 The children of your servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 103: 1-22
103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 103:3 Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; 103:4 Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; 103:5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 103:6 The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 103:7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the children of Israel. 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever. 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 103:14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 103:16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 103:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness to children's children; 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. 103:19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all. 103:20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word. 103:21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 103:22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Jeremiah 17: 9-10
17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. He who receives the prophet the by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s …
2nd Reading
2nd Corinthians 13: 11-13
13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 111: 1-2
111:1 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 111:2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel, St St. Matthew 6: 7-9
6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like to them: for your Father knows what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: heaven and earth shall pass away…. It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one ….
Concluding prayer
O Lord our God, we humbly offer you our service of praise and thanks for this new day. Grant us your grace to begin this day with you and remain with us throughout the day. And help us to reach the fullness of your redemption. We make our morning prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your Holy Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Our Father….O my Lady Mary…
Day 20
Evening prayer
In the name of the Father and of the Son ….
Opening prayer
O God Our heavenly King whose name is holy, and whose mercy is praised from generation to generation, we pray that you will hear our evening prayer and grant us that we may glorify you by never ceasing praise. We make this our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your Holy Son, who loves and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Our Father….O my Lady Mary…
Psalm 104: 1-35/end
104:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honour and majesty. 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 104:3 Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds his chariot: who walks upon the wings of the wind: 104:4 Who makes his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever. 104:6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 104:7 At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hasted away. 104:8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys to the place which you have founded for them. 104:9 You have set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. 104:10 He sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 104:11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 104:12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 104:13 He waters the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works. 104:14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 104:15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man's heart. 104:16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 104:17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down. 104:20 You make darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 104:22 The sun arises, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 104:23 Man goes forth to his work and to his labour until the evening. 104:24 O Lord, how manifold are your works! in wisdom have you made them all: the earth is full of your riches. 104:25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 104:26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom you have made to play therein. 104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 104:28 That you give them they gather: thou openest your hand, they are filled with good. 104:29 Thou hidest your face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 104:30 Thou sendest forth your spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 104:31 The glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works. 104:32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles: he touches the hills, and they smoke. 104:33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. 104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Scripture Readings
14th Century Bible
1st Reading
Tobit 4: 16-17, 19-20
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. Pour out your bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked. 4:19 Bless the Lord your God alway, 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
Romans 14: 17-19
14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 14:18 For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 108: 1-2
108:1 O god, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel, St Mark 14: 32-41
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. He that hath ears to hear let him hear… It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one ….
Concluding prayer
Lord our Father and King, to whom we offer evening prayer, we humbly pray that you may mercifully grant us your grace and that our hearts may always meditate on your law and words, and give us the reward of everlasting light and life. We make this our evening prayer through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Our Father….O my Lady Mary…
The Synaxarium:
THE FOURTH MONTH
TAHISAS 22
(December 31)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day is celebrated the festival of the glorious angel, Gabriel the Archangel, who made the Annunciation [to our Lady Mary]. And on this day is celebrated the building of the church in the city of Danah, wherein the angel showed forth his miracles, and also the dedication thereof; and of what took place Archelaus, bishop of this city is witness. It was this glorious angel who was sent by God to the holy Virgin Mary, and he was by far the most glorious of all the angels, and most to be trusted to make the Annunciation to her. When he came unto the Virgin he said unto her, “Peace be unto thee! Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee.” And it was Gabriel who announced the glad tidings of the birth of his son John to Zachariah; exceedingly great honor do they pay to this angel Gabriel, and great is the honor of him that is chosen as an announcer of glad tidings. And it is meet for us now to gather together at this great and holy festival in the True Faith, and let us put away hatred, and make peace among ourselves, and agree with our neighbor, and love each other, and let us crucify our minds (or thoughts) with God the Merciful, so that He may look upon us and have compassion upon us. And with all our hearts let us make supplication to this glorious angel Gabriel, and his companion Michael, who are glorious and exalted in their offices to pray to God on our behalf that He may deliver us and protect us against the nets of Satan; for without the help of God and the intercession of His chosen ones we can in no wise be saved. Now the meaning of the name Gabriel is “God and man,” and it was Gabriel who made the announcement [to the shepherds], and said, “This day is born unto you a Savior, Who is Christ God.” Salutation to thy house in the city of Danoh (sic), O Gabriel, which Archelaus, bishop of the city, consecrated.
Salutation to Dekesius, Bishop of Telteya, to whom Mary gave heavenly apparel, because he wrote the account of the miracle of her Annunciation.
And on this day died the holy father Abba Anastasius, the thirty-sixth Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. This holy man was the son of a nobleman of the city of Alexandria, and he was a judge in the royal palace; he was next made a priest of the Alexandrian Church, and by the Will of God he was appointed archbishop. And having been appointed this father took thought for the churches, and he built several churches, and he set in them places for the bishops and priests. And he took many churches from the Melchites, now he knew not their number, and some churches of the Jacobites, because he was held in honor among them for his learning, and faith, and virtues; and he converted many of them to the True Faith. In those days the Emperor Constantine died, and he was succeeded by another emperor whose faith was corrupt. And one of the evil men sent a letter, and made an accusation against this holy father to him, saying, “When Anastasius, Archbishop of the Jacobites, goeth through the church, the people anathematize the emperor and his faith, and this father Anastasius (Antonius?) doeth nothing in the matter.” When the emperor had read the letter of this evil man, he was exceedingly angry, and he sent to the governor of Alexandria and commanded him to take from this holy father Anastasius the church of Saints Cosmas and Damianus, and all his possessions, and to give them to Eusegnius, Archbishop of Rome. And this father sorrowed greatly by reason of this, but God, Who searches hearts, comforted him, and destroyed Peter the heretic, Archbishop of Antioch, and He appointed to succeed him a righteous and learned monk whose name was Atesius. And this father sent to him an epistle concerning the True Faith, and he rejoiced at its coming to him, and he gathered together the bishops and the priests and read this epistle before them, and they rejoiced therein, and they marveled at the words which were written there, and at the knowledge of the writer. And Athenasius, Archbishop of the city of Antioch, rose up, and taking with him bishops, and priests, and deacons, he came to the city of Alexandria. And this father Anastasius went out and met Abba Athanasius, now he had with him bishops, and priests, and deacons and monks, and the chief of the Jews, and then Abba Athanasius said, “O my beloved ones, it is meet that we should take up the harp of David, the prophet, and sing the words of the Psalm, ‘Compassion and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other’. Athanasius and Anastasius have embraced each other, righteousness hath appeared in the land of Egypt, and truth hath sprung up out of the East. Egypt and Syria have become one Faith, and the cities of Alexandria and Antioch one church, and there is one virgin to one holy man, our Lord Christ, the Only Son, the Word of God the Father.” And Saint Athanasius lived with Saint Anastasius in the same monastery for a period of thirty days, and they taught each other, and discussed together, and searched out the roots of the Faith; and then Abba Athanasius returned in peace to this own country. And the country of Alexandria and the country of Antioch were at one in one True Faith. And this father Anastasius taught his flock things, which were profitable for their souls from the Book of Life. And because of the greatness of his wisdom, and his knowledge, he used to put at the beginning of each of his writings and letters each year one letter of the alphabet; thus at the beginning of all his writings and letters written during the first year he wrote the letter A, and at the beginning of all those written during the second year the letter B, and at the beginning of all those written during the third year the letter ‘? ‘ and so on to the end of the alphabet. [Oriental 667 says that he wrote 12,000 letters during the twelve years in which he held office.] And when the fast of the Birth of Christ came he became a little sick, and died in peace in the thirty-first (sic) year of the Holy Martyrs (A.D. 315?). Salutation to Anastasius.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
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