Daily Readings:
Saints/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Fast of the Nativity
December 10 / 23. Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphus of Alexandria [Eph 6:10-17; Lk 21:12-19]. St. Ioasaph, Bishop of Belgorod (also 4 September). Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia. St. Thomas of Bithynia. Blessed John, king of Serbia, and his parents Stephen and Angelina Brancovich. (Greek Calendar: Hieromartyr Theotecnus. Martyr Marianus. Martyr Eugene.)
Пятница, 10 Декабря/ 27 Ноября (Церковный календарь)
Вмч. Иакова Персянина (421). Прп. Палладия Александрийского (VI-VII). Иконы Божией Матери, именуемой "Знамение". Обретение мощей блгв. кн. Новгородского Всеволода, во св. Крещении Гавриила, Псковского чудотворца (1192). Свт. Иакова, еп. Ростовского (1392). Прп. Романа чудотворца (V). Иконы Божией Матери "Знамение" Курской-Коренной (1295). Преп. Пинуфрия Егип. Преп. Нафанаила Нитрийск. Преп. Палладия, еп. Еленопольск. Преп. Диодора Юрьегородск. Блаж. Андрея Симбирского, Христа ради юродивого. Новосвмч. Николая, апх. Владимирского. Новопрепмчч. Кронида (Любимова), наместника Троице-Сергиевой Лавры, Алексия (Гаврина), Аполлоса (Федосеева), Иосафа (Боева), Иосафа (Крымзина), Николая (Салтыкова), Никона (Беляева), Серафима (Крестьянинова), свмчч. пресвв. Алексия Сперанского, Бориса Ивановского, Василия Соколова, Владимира Смирнова, Димитрия Лебедева, Иоанна Смирнова, Николая Андреева, Николая Покровского, Феодора Дорофеева и муч. Иоанна Емельянова в Бутове убиенных.
Martyr Menas of Alexandria
The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus suffered for their faith in Christ under the emperor Maximian (305-313).
St Menas was sent by the emperor from Athens to Alexandria to suppress the riots that had arisen between the Christians and the pagans. Distinguished for his gift of eloquence, Menas instead openly began to preach the Christian Faith and he converted many pagans to Christ. Learning of this, Maximian sent Hermogenes to Alexandria to place the saints on trial. Moreover, he gave orders to purge the city of Christians.
Hermogenes, although he was a pagan, was distinguished by his reverent bearing. And struck by the endurance of St Menas under torture and by his miraculous healing after the cruel torments, he also came to believe in Christ. Maximian himself then arrived in Alexandria. Neither the astonishing stoic endurance of Sts Menas and Hermogenes under torture, nor even the miracles manifested by God in this city, mollified the emperor. Instead, they vexed him all the more. The emperor personally stabbed St Eugraphus, the secretary of St Menas, and then gave orders to behead the holy Martyrs Menas and Hermogenes.
The relics of the holy martyrs, cast into the sea in an iron chest, were afterwards found (see February 17) and transferred to Constantinople in the ninth century. The emperor Justinian built a church in the name of the holy Martyr Menas of Alexandria. St Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4) composed a Canon in honor of these holy martyrs.
Kontakion - Tone 4
The Lord snatched you from the temporal army making you a fellow inheritor of the eternal, O Menas;
together with Hermogenes and Eugraphus with whom you suffered,
you are granted an incorruptible crown.
Troparion - Tone 8
Having slain the fiery ragings and fierce movements of the passions though their ascetic labors,
the Martyrs of Christ, Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, received grace to dispel the afflictions of the infirm and to work wonders both while alive and after death.
It is a truly great wonder that bare bones pour forth healing.
Glory to our only God and Creator.
Martyr Hermogenes of Alexandria
The Holy Martyrs Hermogenes, Menas, and Eugraphus suffered for their faith in Christ under the emperor Maximian (305-313).
St Menas was sent by the emperor from Athens to Alexandria to suppress the riots that had arisen between the Christians and the pagans. Distinguished for his gift of eloquence, Menas instead openly began to preach the Christian Faith and he converted many pagans to Christ. Learning of this, Maximian sent Hermogenes to Alexandria to place the saints on trial. Moreover, he gave orders to purge the city of Christians.
Hermogenes, although he was a pagan, was distinguished by his reverent bearing. And struck by the endurance of St Menas under torture and by his miraculous healing after the cruel torments, he also came to believe in Christ. Maximian himself then arrived in Alexandria. Neither the astonishing stoic endurance of Sts Menas and Hermogenes under torture, nor even the miracles manifested by God in this city, mollified the emperor. Instead, they vexed him all the more. The emperor personally stabbed St Eugraphus, the secretary of St Menas, and then gave orders to behead the holy Martyrs Menas and Hermogenes.
The relics of the holy martyrs, cast into the sea in an iron chest, were afterwards found (see February 17) and transferred to Constantinople in the ninth century. The emperor Justinian built a church in the name of the holy Martyr Menas of Alexandria. St Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4) composed a Canon in honor of these holy martyrs.
Kontakion - Tone 4
The Lord snatched you from the temporal army making you a fellow inheritor of the eternal, O Menas;
together with Hermogenes and Eugraphus with whom you suffered,
you are granted an incorruptible crown.
Troparion - Tone 8
Having slain the fiery ragings and fierce movements of the passions though their ascetic labors,
the Martyrs of Christ, Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, received grace to dispel the afflictions of the infirm and to work wonders both while alive and after death.
It is a truly great wonder that bare bones pour forth healing.
Glory to our only God and Creator.
Martyr Eugraphus of Alexandria
The Holy Martyrs Eugraphus, Menas, and Hermogenes suffered for their faith in Christ under the emperor Maximian (305-313).
St Menas was sent by the emperor from Athens to Alexandria to suppress the riots that had arisen between the Christians and the pagans. Distinguished for his gift of eloquence, Menas instead openly began to preach the Christian Faith and he converted many pagans to Christ. Learning of this, Maximian sent Hermogenes to Alexandria to place the saints on trial. Moreover, he gave orders to purge the city of Christians.
Hermogenes, although he was a pagan, was distinguished by his reverent bearing. And struck by the endurance of St Menas under torture and by his miraculous healing after the cruel torments, he also came to believe in Christ. Maximian himself then arrived in Alexandria. Neither the astonishing stoic endurance of Sts Menas and Hermogenes under torture, nor even the miracles manifested by God in this city, mollified the emperor. Instead, they vexed him all the more. The emperor personally stabbed St Eugraphus, the secretary of St Menas, and then gave orders to behead the holy Martyrs Menas and Hermogenes.
The relics of the holy martyrs, cast into the sea in an iron chest, were afterwards found (see February 17) and transferred to Constantinople in the ninth century. The emperor Justinian built a church in the name of the holy Martyr Menas of Alexandria. St Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4) composed a Canon in honor of these holy martyrs.
Kontakion - Tone 4
The Lord snatched you from the temporal army making you a fellow inheritor of the eternal, O Menas;
together with Hermogenes and Eugraphus with whom you suffered,
you are granted an incorruptible crown.
Troparion - Tone 8
Having slain the fiery ragings and fierce movements of the passions though their ascetic labors,
the Martyrs of Christ, Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, received grace to dispel the afflictions of the infirm and to work wonders both while alive and after death.
It is a truly great wonder that bare bones pour forth healing.
Glory to our only God and Creator
St Joasaph the Bishop of Belgorod
Saint Joasaph was born at Proluka, in the former Poltava governance, on September 8, 1705, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. He was descended from the old and venerable Little Russian (Ukrainian) lineage of the Gorlenkovi. At Baptism he was named Joachim.
In 1712, his father enrolled the seven-year-old Joachim in the Kiev Spiritual Academy. Within the walls of the academy he felt attracted to monastic life. For seven years he studied it further, and finally revealed his intention to his parents.
For a long time his mother and father pleaded with their first-born son not to accept monastic tonsure. But in 1725, unknown to them, he became a "rasophore" ("robe-wearing novice") with the name Hilarion at the Kiev Mezhigorsk monastery, and on 21 November 1727 he was tonsured in the mantya with the name Joasaph at the Kievo-Bratsk monastery. This event co-incided with the completion of his studies at the spiritual academy.
After the death of His Grace Barlaam, the See of Kiev was governed by Archbishop Raphael Zaborovsky. Archbishop Raphael noticed the abilities of the young ascetic and assigned him to greater service to the Church. He was entrusted with the responsibility of the office of examiner of the Kiev archbishopric.
In November 1734, Archbishop Raphael ordained the hierodeacon Joasaph as hieromonk, and he was transferred from the Bratsk monastery school to the Kiev-Sophia archbishop's house. At the same time, he was appointed a member of the Kiev religious consistory.
In fulfilling the office of examiner, he exerted much effort towards the correction of moral deficiencies among the parish clergy. The saint's service in the consistory office enabled him to develop his administrative abilities. During this time, he made a good study of the needs of clergy-servers, noting both the good points and the failings of the diocese. His talent for administration was combined with his great spiritual effort. He quickly ascended the ladder of spiritual perfection, which can be seen in his work, "The Conflict of the Seven Venerable Virtues with the Seven Deadly Sins."
On June 24, 1737 Hieromonk Joasaph was appointed head of the Holy Transfiguration Mgarsk monastery, and elevated to the rank of igumen. Here he worked with all his strength to put the monastery in good order, for it was an old bastion of Orthodoxy in the struggle with the Unia. In this monastery were relics of St Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople and Wonderworker of Lubny (May 2). Several times St Athanasius appeared to Igumen Joasaph, as a sign of his patronal protection.
In 1744 Metropolitan Raphael elevated Igumen Joasaph to the dignity of archimandrite. Towards the end of that same year he was called to Moscow and soon, at the direction of the Most Holy Synod, he was appointed vicar of the Holy Trinity Sergiev Lavra monastery. At this monastery of St Sergius he also unstintingly fulfilled obedience to the Church (this year required much exertion for the rebuilding of the monastery after a fire).
On June 2, 1748 at the Peter and Paul cathedral in Peterburg, Archimandrite Joasaph was ordained Bishop of Belgorod. Ascending the archbishop's throne, St Joasaph strictly concerned himself with piety and the condition of the churches, with the proper celebration of divine services, and especially with the moral condition of his flock.
The saint devoted great attention to the education of the clergy, and the correct observance of churchly norms and traditions. Just as before, the saint worked with all his strength in his archpastoral service, without regard for his health.
On the eve of his repose, the saint forbade his cell attendant Stephen to aspire to the priesthood, and he predicted that if he did not obey him, he would meet with an untimely end. To another cell attendant Basil, the saint indicated that he would be a deacon, but would never become a priest. Later, this prediction was fulfilled. St Joasaph died on December 10, 1754, and was glorified on September 4, 1911.
Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia
The Holy Martyr Gemellus of Paphlagonia was subjected to cruel tortures for his staunch denunciation of the emperor Juilan the Apostate (361-363) in the city of Ancyra (Galatia). A red-hot iron belt was placed around his waist. Then he was ordered to accompany the impious Julian on his journey. When they reached Edessa in Mesopotamia, he was stretched out on the ground and his limbs were pierced with wooden stakes. Then he was hung on a post and mutilated.
Enduring the tortures, the saint continued to revile the emperor. After being subjected to even more horrible torments, they let him go. He was still able to walk and speak, so he went on his way until he met a priest. He entreated the priest to baptize him, and when he emerged from the water, his wounds were all healed.
Hearing of this miracle, Julian ordered that St Gemellus be crucified. The victorious athlete of Christ gave up his soul to God, and his body was secretly taken down and buried by Christians
Venerable Thomas of Bithynia
Saint Thomas Dephourkinos was born in Bithynia. From his youth he was fond of monastic life and entered one of the area monasteries. Later in life, when the Byzantine official Galoliktos had founded a monastery at the River Sagarisa, St Thomas was already an experienced monk, and the brethren chose him as head of the new monastery.
From there St Thomas withdrew into the wilderness, where for a long time he labored in solitude. The monk overcame many snares of the devil in the wilderness. The Lord glorified him with the gift of healing and prophecy.
Once, the emperor Leo the Wise (886-911) came to the monastery to St Thomas for advice. Not finding the monk at the monastery, the emperor sent his messenger with a letter for him. And just as the messenger arrived at the the Elder's hut, the saint carried out to him a sealed answer, resolving the emperor's question. It is not known when St Thomas reposed
Blessed John the King of Serbia and his parents
Saint John of Serbia and his parents Saint Stephen and St Angelina. The life of the Serbian ruler Stephen Brankovich and his family was filled with instability and misfortune. After Serbia was seized in 1457 by the Turks, the then Serbian ruler's middle son, Stephen (October 9), distinguished by a meek disposition and fine knowledge of Holy Scripture, went to the capital of Turkey after his sister had been given to Sultan Murat in marriage. Learning that the Turks had burned the Mileshevsk monastery with fanatic cruelty, St Stephen rose up to defend Serbia from oppression.
When he married Angelina (July 30), the daughter of the Prince of Albania, the Turks threatened St Stephen and his family with punishment. With his wife and three children he was forced to hide first in Albania, and then in Italy, where he died.
St Angelina transferred the incorrupt relics of her spouse to Kupinovo. At the end of the fifteenth century a son of the Righteous Stephen and Angelina, St John, became ruler of Serbia. The incorrupt relics of St John and his parents were afterwards glorified by many miracles
Kontakion - Tone 8
Podoben: "O victorious Leader..."
O come, let us worthily praise the holy John,
the newly glorified servant of God's grace,
the glory of our faith and our intercessor
who invites us to sing with grateful voices
and to glorify Him who glorifies His saints,
for he prays for those who celebrate his memory
and who sing to him: "Rejoice, O holy John, you newly blossomed flower!"
Troparion - Tone 4
Glorious art Thou who workest great wonders,
and who glorifies upon their deaths those who glorify Thee,
revealing their bodies incorrupt
and enriching Thy people through their wonderworking relics.
To the glory of Thy Holy Name,
Thou gavest us the relics of God-pleasing John,
who intercedes for our souls.
Blessed Stephen the Prince of Serbia
Saints Stephen and Angelina were the parents of St John of Serbia. The life of the Serbian ruler Stephen Brankovich and his family was filled with instability and misfortune. After Serbia was seized in 1457 by the Turks, the then Serbian ruler's middle son, Stephen (October 9), distinguished by a meek disposition and fine knowledge of Holy Scripture, went to the capital of Turkey after his sister had been given to Sultan Murat in marriage. Learning that the Turks had burned the Mileshevsk monastery with fanatic cruelty, St Stephen rose up to defend Serbia from oppression.
When he married Angelina (July 30), the daughter of the Prince of Albania, the Turks threatened St Stephen and his family with punishment. With his wife and three children he was forced to hide first in Albania, and then in Italy, where he died.
St Angelina transferred the incorrupt relics of her spouse to Kupinovo. At the end of the fifteenth century a son of the Righteous Stephen and Angelina, St John, became ruler of Serbia. The incorrupt relics of St John and his parents were afterwards glorified by many miracles.
Blessed Angelina Brancovich the Princess of Serbia
Saints Angelina and Stephen were the parents of St John of Serbia. The life of the Serbian ruler Stephen Brankovich and his family was filled with instability and misfortune. After Serbia was seized in 1457 by the Turks, the then Serbian ruler's middle son, Stephen (October 9), distinguished by a meek disposition and fine knowledge of Holy Scripture, went to the capital of Turkey after his sister had been given to Sultan Murat in marriage. Learning that the Turks had burned the Mileshevsk monastery with fanatic cruelty, St Stephen rose up to defend Serbia from oppression.
When he married Angelina (July 1 & 30), the daughter of the Prince of Albania, the Turks threatened St Stephen and his family with punishment. With his wife and three children he was forced to hide first in Albania, and then in Italy, where he died.
St Angelina transferred the incorrupt relics of her spouse to Kupinovo. At the end of the fifteenth century, their son St John, became ruler of Serbia. The incorrupt relics of St John and his parents were afterwards glorified by many miracles.
Venerable Leontius
Scriptural Readings:
Hebrews 7:18-25 (Epistle)
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,
19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath
21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The LORD has sworn And will not relent, 'You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek' "),
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Luke 21:37-22:8 (Gospel)
37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.
38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.
2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.
3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb must be killed.
8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."
Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos"Of the Sign": Kursk-Root, and Of Abalek
Hebrews 9:1-7
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos"Of the Sign": Kursk-Root, and Of Abalek
Luke 10:38-42 -- Luke 11:27-28
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Ежедневные Евангельские Чтения
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Молитва перед чтением Евангелия
Послание к Евреям святого апостола Павла
7:18-25
Отменение же прежде бывшей заповеди бывает по причине ее немощи и бесполезности, ибо закон ничего не довел до совершенства; но вводится лучшая надежда, посредством которой мы приближаемся к Богу. И как сие было не без клятвы, -- ибо те были священниками без клятвы, а Сей с клятвою, потому что о Нем сказано: клялся Господь, и не раскается: Ты священник вовек по чину Мелхиседека, -- то лучшего завета поручителем соделался Иисус. Притом тех священников было много, потому что смерть не допускала пребывать одному; а Сей, как пребывающий вечно, имеет и священство непреходящее, посему и может всегда спасать приходящих чрез Него к Богу, будучи всегда жив, чтобы ходатайствовать за них.
От Луки святое благовествование
21:37-38 -- 22:1-8
Днем Он учил в храме, а ночи, выходя, проводил на горе, называемой Елеонскою. И весь народ с утра приходил к Нему в храм слушать Его.
Приближался праздник опресноков, называемый Пасхою, и искали первосвященники и книжники, как бы погубить Его, потому что боялись народа. Вошел же сатана в Иуду, прозванного Искариотом, одного из числа двенадцати, и он пошел, и говорил с первосвященниками и начальниками, как Его предать им. Они обрадовались и согласились дать ему денег; и он обещал, и искал удобного времени, чтобы предать Его им не при народе. Настал же день опресноков, в который надлежало заколать пасхального агнца, и послал Иисус Петра и Иоанна, сказав: пойдите, приготовьте нам есть пасху.
Послание к Евреям святого апостола Павла
9:1-7
И первый завет имел постановление о Богослужении и святилище земное: ибо устроена была скиния первая, в которой был светильник, и трапеза, и предложение хлебов, и которая называется "святое". За второю же завесою была скиния, называемая "Святое-святых", имевшая золотую кадильницу и обложенный со всех сторон золотом ковчег завета, где были золотой сосуд с манною, жезл Ааронов расцветший и скрижали завета, а над ним херувимы славы, осеняющие очистилище; о чем не нужно теперь говорить подробно. При таком устройстве, в первую скинию всегда входят священники совершать Богослужение; а во вторую -- однажды в год один только первосвященник, не без крови, которую приносит за себя и за грехи неведения народа.
От Луки святое благовествование
10:38-42 -- 11:27-28
В продолжение пути их пришел Он в одно селение; здесь женщина, именем Марфа, приняла Его в дом свой; у неё была сестра, именем Мария, которая села у ног Иисуса и слушала слово Его. Марфа же заботилась о большом угощении и, подойдя, сказала: Господи! или Тебе нужды нет, что сестра моя одну меня оставила служить? скажи ей, чтобы помогла мне. Иисус же сказал ей в ответ: Марфа! Марфа! ты заботишься и суетишься о многом, а одно только нужно; Мария же избрала благую часть, которая не отнимется у неё.
Когда же Он говорил это, одна женщина, возвысив голос из народа, сказала Ему: блаженно чрево, носившее Тебя, и сосцы, Тебя питавшие! А Он сказал: блаженны слышащие слово Божие и соблюдающие его.
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