From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Fast Day (Fish Allowed)
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:1-13
Luke 21:12-16
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Tuesday of the 12th Week
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
Athenodoros the Martyr of Mesopotamia
Righteous Father Gerasimus, Ascetic of Euboia
Holy Father John of Kronstadt
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:1-13
BRETHREN, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it.
For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they
heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the
hearers. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I
swore in my wrath, 'They shall never enter my rest,"' although his
works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has
somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way, "And God rested on the
seventh day from all his works." And again in this place he said, "They
shall never enter my rest." Since therefore it remains for some to
enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter
because of disobedience, again he sets a certain day, "Today," saying
through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today,
when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had
given them rest, God would not speak later of another day. So then,
there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God; for whoever enters
God's rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his. Let us
therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of
disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and
marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And
before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the
eyes of him with whom we have to do.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 21:12-16
The Lord said to his disciples, "Beware of men who will lay their
hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and
prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's
sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it
therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I
will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will
be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by
parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will
put to death; you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a
hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your
lives."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
Reading from the Synaxarion:
This Saint was born in Gaul in 340, and was a member of the Roman
Senate. After the death of Auxentius, the Arian Bishop of Milan, a
violent dispute arose among the Orthodox and Arians about who would
succeed him. Ambrose, desiring as Governor of the province to restore the
peace, attempted to mediate between them. As he spoke to the people,
eloquently persuading them to elect a new bishop without tumult and
disorder, a young child, inspired from on high, suddenly cried out
"Ambrose, bishop!" To his astonishment and dismay, the people immediately
took up this cry themselves, and over his many protests, he was raised
to the episcopal throne of Milan on December 7, 374. A great Father
of the Church, he wrote many works in Latin, and was both an
unwearying opponent of Arianism, and a fearless accuser of emperors when
they transgressed the law of God. Having lived fifty-seven years, he
reposed on April 4, on the eve of Pascha, in the year 397.
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 Ambrose, intercede with Christ God that our souls be
saved.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
Flashing lightning-like with godly doctrines, thou, O Ambrose, dravest off
the darkness of the impious error of Arius; and working wonders and
signs by the Spirit's might, thou, O good shepherd, didst heal divers
sufferings. Righteous Father, thou initiate of sacred mysteries, entreat
Christ God to grant great mercy unto us.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Holy Father John of Kronstadt
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint John of Kronstadt was a married priest, who lived with his wife
in virginity. Through his untiring labours in his priestly duties
and love for the poor and sinners, he was granted by our Lord great
gifts of clairvoyance and miracle - working, to such a degree that in
the last years of his life miracles of healings - both of body and of
soul - were performed countless times each day through his prayers,
often for people who had only written to him asking his help. During
his lifetime he was known throughout Russia, as well as in the
Western world. He has left us his diary My Life in Christ as a spiritual
treasure for Christians of every age; simple in language, it expounds the
deepest mysteries of our Faith with that wisdom which is given only to a
heart purified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Foreseeing as a true
prophet the Revolution Of 1917, he unsparingly rebuked the growing
apostasy among the people; he foretold that the very name of Russia would
be changed. As the darkness of unbelief grew thicker, he shone forth
as a beacon of unquenchable piety, comforting the faithful through
the many miracles that he worked and the fatherly love and simplicity
with which he received all. Saint John reposed in peace in 1908.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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