Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Seventh Day of the Feast of the Nativity
December 31 / January 13. Apodosis of the Nativity of Christ. St. Melania the Younger, nun of Rome. St. Gelasius, monk of Palestine. St. Gaius, monk. St. Theophylactus of Ochrid. (Greek Calendar: Ten Virgin Martyrs of Nicomedia. Martyrs Busiris, Gaudentius and Nemo. St. Zoticus, feeder of orphans.) Repose of Metropolitan Peter Moghila of Kiev (1646).
Пятница, 31 Декабря/ 18 Декабря (Церковный календарь)
Мчч. Севастиана и дружины его: Никострата (казнохранителя), жены его Зои, Кастория, Транквиллина пресвитера и сынов его Маркеллина и Марка, диаконов, Клавдия, начальника над тюрьмами, сына его Симфориана, брата Викторина, Тивуртия и Кастула (ок. 287 или 304). Свт. Модеста, архиеп. Иерусалимского (633-634). Прп. Флора, еп. Амийского (VII). Прп. Михаила исп (ок. 845). Прп. Севастиана Сохотского, Пошехонского (ок. 1500). Прославление прав. Симеона Верхотурского (1694). Муч. Еввиота. Новосвмчч. Фаддея, архиеп. Тверского и Николая, архиеп. Великоустюжского.
Leavetaking of the Nativity of our Lord
Materials for the Leavetaking of the Nativity are taken from the service of the Feast day itself in the Menaion. The Scripture readings at Liturgy, however, are of the day, not of the Feast. The Prokeimenon, Alleluia verses, and Communion hymn are all of the Feast.
Leavetaking of the Nativity of our Lord
Kontakion - Tone 3
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One!
Angels with shepherds glorify Him! The wise men journey with a star!
Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!
Troparion - Tone 4
Your Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars,
Were taught by a Star to adore You,
The Sun of Righteousness,
And to know You, the Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to You!
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Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome
Saint Melania was born in Rome into a devout Christian family. Her parents, people of property and wealth, hoped that their daughter would marry and have children who would inherit their wealth.
At fourteen years of age Melania was married to the illustrious youth Apinianus. From the very beginning of their married life, St Melania asked her husband to live with her in chastity or else release her from the marriage. Apinianus answered, "I cannot agree to this right now. When we have two children to inherit the property, then we shall both renounce the world."
Soon Melania gave birth to a daughter, whom the young parents dedicated to God. Continuing to live together in marriage, Melania secretly wore a hairshirt and spent her nights in prayer. The second child, a boy, was premature and had severe complications. They baptized him, and he departed to the Lord.
Seeing the suffering of his wife, Apinianus asked the Lord to preserve St Melania's life, and he vowed to spend the rest of their life together in chastity. Recovering, St Melania stopped wearing her beautiful clothing and jewelry. Soon their daughter also died. The parents of St Melania did not support the young couple's desire to devote themselves to God. It was only when St Melania's father became deathly ill, that he asked their forgiveness and permitted them to follow their chosen path, asking them to pray for him.
The saints then left the city of Rome, and began a new life completely dedicated to the service of God. Apinianus at this time was twenty-four years of age, and Melania twenty. They began to visit the sick, to take in wanderers, and to help the indigent. They visited those who were exiled, and mine-convicts, and the destitute, there in debtor's prison. After selling their estates in Italy and Spain, they generously helped monasteries, hospitals, widows and orphans in Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, Phoenicia, and Palestine.
Many churches and hospitals were built with their assistance. Churches of both West and East benefited from them. Leaving their native land, they set sail for Africa, and a strong storm arose while they were at sea. The sailors said that this was because of the wrath of God, but St Melania said that it was not God's will that they should go directly to their destination.
The waves carried the ship to an island on which barbarians had landed. The besiegers demanded a ransom from the inhabitants, or else they threatened to lay waste the city. The saints supplied the necessary ransom, and thus saved the city and its people from destruction.
Resuming their voyage, they landed in Africa and helped all the needy there. With the blessing of the local bishops, they made offerings to churches and monasteries. During this time St Melania continued to humble her flesh by strict fasting, and she fortified her soul by constantly reading the Word of God, making copies of the sacred books and distributing them to those who lacked them. She sewed a hairshirt for herself, put it on, and continued to wear it.
The saints spent seven years in Carthage, and then decided to visit Jerusalem. At Alexandria, they were welcomed by the bishop, St Cyril, and they met in church with the holy Elder Nestorius, who was possessed of the gift of prophecy and healing. The Elder turned to them and told them to have courage and patience in expectation of the Glory of Heaven.
At Jerusalem, the saints distributed their remaining gold to the destitute and then spent their days in poverty and prayer. After a short visit to Egypt, where the saints visited many of the desert Fathers, St Melania secluded herself in a cell on the Mount of Olives. Only occasionally did she see St Apinianus.
Later, she founded a monastery, where eventually ninety virgins lived in obedience to St Melania. Out of humility, she would not consent to be abbess, and lived and prayed in solitude as before. In her instructions, St Melania urged the sisters to be vigilant and to pray, to disdain their own opinions and cultivate first of all love for God and for one another, to keep the holy Orthodox Faith, and to guard their purity of soul and of body.
In particular, she exhorted them to be obedient to the will of God. Calling to mind the words of the Apostle Paul, she counselled them to keep the fasts "not with wailing, nor from compulsion, but in virtuous disposition with love for God". By her efforts an oratory and altar were built in the monastery, where they enshrined the relics of saints: the Prophet Zachariah, the holy Protomartyr Stephen, and the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. About this time St Apinianus fell asleep in the Lord. St Melania buried his relics and there spent another four years in fasting and unceasing prayer.
St Melania wanted to build a men's monastery on the Mount of the Ascension of the Lord. The Lord blessed her intent by sending a benefactor who provided the means for the monastery. Joyfully accepting it, St Melania finished the great work in a single year. In this monastery, saintly men began to lift up unceasing prayer in the church of the Ascension of Christ.
Having completed her tasks, the saint left Jerusalem for Constantinople, hoping to save the soul of her pagan uncle Volusianus who had traveled there from Rome. Along the way she prayed at the relics of St Laurence (August 10), at the place of his martyrdom, and received auspicious signs. Arriving in Constantinople, the saint found her uncle had fallen ill. Her demeanor and her inspired discourses had a profound influence on the sick man. He gave up pagan impiety and died a Christian.
During this time many inhabitants of the capital were deceived by the heretical teaching of Nestorius. St Melania accepted anyone who turned to her for proper explanation, converting many of them to Orthodoxy. Many miracles were worked through the prayers of the saint.
Returning to her own monastery, the saint sensed the approach of death, and told this to the priest and the sisters. They listened to her final instructions with deep sorrow and with tears. Having asked their prayers and commanding them to preserve themselves in purity, she received the Holy Mysteries with joy. St Melania peacefully gave up her soul to the Lord in the year 439.
Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome
Kontakion - Tone 3
As a two-fold lamp you illumine the Church of Christ
with truly mystical radiance.
You brought forth a hundred-fold fruit through your contest, O Anysia;
and you shone forth in asceticism, O Melania.
You were both found worthy of the incorruptible life of the righteous.
Troparion - Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Mother,
for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away;
but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.
Therefore your spirit, O holy Mother Melania, rejoices with the angels.
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Venerable Cyriacus of Bisericani, Romania
Saint Cyriacus of Bisericani is one of Romania's greatest ascetics, and in his life he was like the great Fathers of the Egyptian desert.
He lived in the Bisericani monastery at the beginning of the seventeenth century, which then had more than a hundred monks. Longing for a life of solitude, St Cyriacus went to live in a cave at Simon Mountain and remained there for sixty years.
Like St Onuphrius (June 12), St Cyriacus went about naked in summer and in winter, and his body became overgrown with hair. He glorified God with unceasing prayer and ascetical struggles, and Christ gave him the grace to overcome the demons which assailed him.
Attaining great holiness and perfecting himself in virtue, St Cyriacus fell asleep in the Lord in 1660. His relics were buried in his cave, where there is now a small chapel dedicated to him. Later, because of unsettled conditions in the land, the faithful took portions of his relics away in order to preserve them.
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Venerable Cyriacus of Tazlu, Romania
Saint Cyriacus was born into a peasant family, and became a monk at the Tazlau Monastery. Since he surpassed the other monks in humility, prayer, and virtue, he was found worthy of the grace of the priesthood.
Wishing to attain further perfection, St Cyriacus withdrew to a mountain called Magura Tazlaului, where he lived for fifty years. There he struggled in a manner similar to the great hesychasts of old, sustaining himself with dried bread and fruits, keeping all-night vigils and shedding copious tears. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, he was able to forsee future events, and to cast out evil spirits.
In time, many disciples flocked to him seeking spiritual counsel. These, in turn, became hesychasts and lived in the mountains of Tazlau, Nichitu, and Tarcau.
After he had reached a great age, St Cyriacus surrendered his soul to God around 1660. His disciples buried him in a cave on Magura Tazlaului, and many miracles were worked through his holy relics.
At the end of the seventeenth century Moldavia was threatened by great dangers, and many people took refuge in the forests. The relics of St Cyriacus were divided among the faithful so that they would not be profaned by infidels. Thus, the mountain cave on Magura Tazlaului was deprived of its great treasure.
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St Dositheus the Bishop and Confessor of Serbia
St Dositheus the Bishop and Confessor of Serbia
Troparion - Tone 8
O champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
enlightener of the universe and adornment of hierarchs:
all-wise father Dositheus, you have enlightened all by your teachings.
Interceed with Christ God to save our souls.
St Dositheus the Confessor
St Theophylactus of Ochrid
Venerable Sabiana, Abbess of the Samtskhe Monastery
The nuns of Georgian monasteries have historically been outstanding in their diligence. God entrusted them with the special duties of ceaseless prayer, fasting, needlework, and the raising of orphans. Nuns have been regarded as vessels of sanctity and wisdom, and even royalty would kneel before them.
Many Georgian noblemen would send their children to nuns to be brought up in the Christian Faith. According to the great church figure George the Lesser, when the parents of St. George of the Holy Mountain decided to have their first-born daughter, Thekla, raised by nuns, they sent her to the “worthy and holy” Sabiana, who at that time was abbess of the Samtskhe Tadzrisi Monastery in southern Georgia.
St. Sabiana welcomed Thekla and raised her as though she were her own natural daughter.
Before long Thekla’s brother, the seven-year-old George, was also brought to the monastery, and St. Sabiana spent three years educating and instructing him in the spiritual life.
Further information on the life and labors of St. Sabiana has sadly not been preserved. But as the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew attests, the tree is known by his fruit (Matt. 12:33). The high level of monastic life during St. Sabiana’s abbacy and the pious lives of her spiritual children attest to the great spiritual heights she attained.
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Scriptural Readings (in English):
Daily Scripture Readings
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Prayer Before Reading the Holy Scriptures: http://www.pomog.org/before.html
1Peter 1:1-2 -- 1Peter 1:10-12 -- 1Peter 2:6-10
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Mark 9:33-41
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
1 Timothy 6:11-16 (Epistle, Saturday After Nativity)
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,
15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
Matthew 12:15-21 (Gospel, Saturday After Nativity)
15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.
16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
18 Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21 And in His name Gentiles will trust."
Mark 12:1-12 (Gospel)
1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.
3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
4 Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
5 And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.
6 Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.'
7 But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
8 So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.
9 Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
10 Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?"
12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
Scriptural Readings (in Russian):
Ежедневные Евангельские Чтения
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Молитва перед чтением Евангелия: http://www.pomog.org/before_russian.html
Первое соборное послание святого апостола Петра
1:1-2 -- 1:10-12 -- 2:6-10
Петр, Апостол Иисуса Христа, пришельцам, рассеянным в Понте, Галатии, Каппадокии, Асии и Вифинии, избранным, по предведению Бога Отца, при освящении от Духа, к послушанию и окроплению Кровию Иисуса Христа: благодать вам и мир да умножится.
К сему-то спасению относились изыскания и исследования пророков, которые предсказывали о назначенной вам благодати, исследывая, на которое и на какое время указывал сущий в них Дух Христов, когда Он предвозвещал Христовы страдания и последующую за ними славу. Им открыто было, что не им самим, а нам служило то, что ныне проповедано вам благовествовавшими Духом Святым, посланным с небес, во что желают проникнуть Ангелы.
Ибо сказано в Писании: вот, Я полагаю в Сионе камень краеугольный, избранный, драгоценный; и верующий в Него не постыдится. Итак Он для вас, верующих, драгоценность, а для неверующих камень, который отвергли строители, но который сделался главою угла, камень претыкания и камень соблазна, о который они претыкаются, не покоряясь слову, на что они и оставлены. Но вы -- род избранный, царственное священство, народ святой, люди, взятые в удел, дабы возвещать совершенства Призвавшего вас из тьмы в чудный Свой свет; некогда не народ, а ныне народ Божий; некогда непомилованные, а ныне помилованы.
От Марка святое благовествование
9:33-41
Пришел в Капернаум; и когда был в доме, спросил их: о чем дорогою вы рассуждали между собою? Они молчали; потому что дорогою рассуждали между собою, кто больше. И, сев, призвал двенадцать и сказал им: кто хочет быть первым, будь из всех последним и всем слугою. И, взяв дитя, поставил его посреди них и, обняв его, сказал им: кто примет одно из таких детей во имя Мое, тот принимает Меня; а кто Меня примет, тот не Меня принимает, но Пославшего Меня. При сем Иоанн сказал: Учитель! мы видели человека, который именем Твоим изгоняет бесов, а не ходит за нами; и запретили ему, потому что не ходит за нами. Иисус сказал: не запрещайте ему, ибо никто, сотворивший чудо именем Моим, не может вскоре злословить Меня. Ибо кто не против вас, тот за вас. И кто напоит вас чашею воды во имя Мое, потому что вы Христовы, истинно говорю вам, не потеряет награды своей.
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