From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Monday, December 20, 2010
Fast Day (Wine and Oil Allowed)
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 10:32-38
Mark 9:33-41
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Ignatius the God-Bearer, Bishop of Antioch
Our Righteous Father Philogonius, Bishop of Antioch
John the New Martyr of Thassos
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 10:32-38
Brethren, recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you
endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed
to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so
treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully
accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you
yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore 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."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Mark 9:33-41
At that time, Jesus and his disciples came to Capernaum, and when he
was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the
way?" But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one
another who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve; and
he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all
and servant of all." And he took a child, and put him in the midst
of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever
receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me,
receives not me but him who sent me." John said to him, "Teacher, we saw
a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because
he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for
no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to
speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us. For truly,
I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you
bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha,
prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth
in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true
spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we
eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For
Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
On this day the Virgin cometh to a cave to give birth to God the
Word ineffable, Who was before all the ages. Dance for joy, O earth,
on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and the shepherds
now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who
before the ages is God.
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Ignatius the God-Bearer, Bishop of Antioch
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Ignatius was a disciple of Saint John the Theologian, and a
successor of the Apostles, and he became the second Bishop of Antioch,
after Evodus. He wrote many epistles to the faithful, strengthening
them in their confession, and preserving for us the teachings of the
holy Apostles. Brought to Rome under Trajan, he was surrendered to
lions to be eaten, and so finished the course of martyrdom about the
year 107. The remnants of his bones were carefully gathered by the
faithful and brought to Antioch. He is called God-bearer, as one who bare
God within himself and was aflame in heart with love for Him.
Therefore, in his Epistle to the Romans (ch. 4), imploring their love not to
attempt to deliver him from his longed-for martyrdom, he said, "I am the
wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may
be found to be the pure bread of God."
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the
Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of
ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of
truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O
Hieromartyr Ignatius. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
The divine and brilliant day of thine illustrious contests doth
proclaim to all mankind Him that was born of a Virgin; for it was for Him
that thou didst thirst to delight in, and didst haste to be devoured
by beasts in thy longing. Hence, O glorious Ignatius, the name
God-bearer was rightly given to thee.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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