From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Thursday, December 16, 2010
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 10:35-39; 11:1-7
Mark 9:10-15
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Thursday of the 13th Week
Haggai the Prophet
Modestos, Archbishop of Jerusalem
Our Righeous Mother Blessed Empress Theophania
Nicholas, Patriarch of Constantinople
Memnonus, Archbishop of Ephesus
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 10:35-39; 11:1-7
BRETHREN, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For
you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and
receive what is promised. "For yet a little while, and the coming
one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live
by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in
him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of
those who have faith and keep their souls. Now faith is the assurance
of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it
the men of old received divine approval. By faith we understand that
the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was
made out of things which do not appear. By faith Abel offered to God a
more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received
approval as righteous, God bearing witness by accepting his gifts; he
died, but through his faith he is still speaking. By faith Enoch was
taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because
God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having
pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him. For
whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning
events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of
his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir of
the righteousness which comes by faith.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Mark 9:10-15
At that time, the disciples kept the word of Jesus to themselves,
questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked him, "Why do
the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" And he said to them,
"Elijah does come first to restore all things; and how is it written of
the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be treated with
contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever
they pleased, as it is written of him." And when they came to the
disciples, they saw a great crowd about them, and scribes arguing with them.
And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly
amazed, and ran up to him and greeted him.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Haggai the Prophet
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Prophet Haggai, whose name means "festive," was born in Babylon
at the time of the captivity Of the Jews. He began to prophesy in
Jerusalem after their return thereto, and to admonish the people to rebuild
the Temple, in the days of Zorobabel, the second year of the reign of
Darius Hystaspes, King of Persia, about the year 520 before Christ. His
prophecy, divided into two chapters, is ranked tenth among the minor
Prophets.
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Aggaeus, O Lord, through
him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
Illumined in mind with streams of light from Heaven's heights, thou
brightly didst shine in prophecy throughout the world; and in manifesting
types of Christ's dispensation, which was to come, thou becamest
illustrious, O Prophet Aggaeus, wise in things divine.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Our Righeous Mother Blessed Empress Theophania
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Theophano, who was born in Constantinople, was of royal lineage.
Instructed in letters, and adorned with many virtues, she was united in
marriage to Emperor Leo the Wise (reigned 886-912). But counting the glory
of the earthly kingdom as nought, she spent her nights and days in
serving God with psalms and hymns and prayers, working various good deeds
until she surrendered her spirit to God in peace, while still in her
youth, being, according to some, about twenty years of age, according to
others, twenty-seven. Her holy relics are still preserved in the
patriarchal church in Constantinople as a source of healing for those that
draw nigh with faith and longing. She was also the builder of the
Holy Patriarchal and Stavropigeal Monastery of St. Anastasia the
Protector from Potions in Chalke (883).
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Preferring heavenly things unto the earthly, thou while on earth didst live
the life of the Angels, raised up on godly longing, O Theophano.
Wherefore, thou hast been vouchsafed Heaven's graces and visions, standing
with the Angels' hosts and the Saints' fair assemblies before the King
of all, Whom thou didst love; pray Him to grant us His mercy and
blessedness.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
As we celebrate today thy radiant feast-day, O divine Theophano, we
cry with rev'rence unto thee: Preserve thy servants, who sing thy
praise, from every manner of peril and suffering.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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