From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Thursday, December 23, 2010
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. James' Universal Letter 1:19-27
Mark 10:17-27
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Thursday of the 14th Week
Ten Martyrs of Crete
Rememberance of the Founding of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, Hagia Sophia in Constantinople
Naoum the Illuminator of The Bulgarians
Paul, Archbishop of Neo-Caesarea
Nicholas & John the New Martyrs
Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. James' Universal Letter 1:19-27
MY BELOVED BRETHREN, let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak,
slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of
God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness
and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save
your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like
a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes
himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who
looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being
no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in
his doing. If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain. Religion
that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit
orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained
from the world.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Mark 10:17-27
At that time, as Jesus was setting out on his journey, a man ran up
and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to
inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not
kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness,
Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said to him,
"Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." And Jesus looking upon
him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what
you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven;
and come, follow me." At that saying his countenance fell, and he
went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked
around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who
have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were
amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard
it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of
God." And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who
can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is
impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ten Martyrs of Crete
Reading from the Synaxarion:
These Saints, who were all from Crete, contested for piety's sake
during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. Theodulus, Saturninus,
Euporus, Gelasius, and Eunician were from Gortynia, the capital; Zoticus
was from Knossos; Agathopus, from the port city of Panormus;
Basilides, from Cydonia; Evarestus and Pompey, from Heraklion. Haled before
the Governor as Christians, they were subjected to torments for
thirty days, being scourged, racked, dragged upon the ground through
dung heaps, stoned, spit upon. They were questioned again, but their
costancy roused the Governor to greater fury. After subjecting them to
torments more bitter still, he had them beheaded.
Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Let us now honour Crete, that land most marvellous, which sprouted
forth the ten flowers revered by all, those goodly pearls of Christ our
God, those verdant boughs of the Martyrs; for although they were but
ten, the most blessed men put to shame the ten thousand armoured host
of the wicked demonic ranks. And hence, they have received crowns of
glory as stout-hearted Martyrs of Christ Saviour.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Shining like a morning star, the Martyrs' contest, worthy of all
reverence, hath shown beforehand unto us Him that was born in a lowly cave,
and Whom the Virgin conceived without seed of man.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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.
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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