From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Monday, January 3, 2011
Fast Free
Readings for today:
Acts of the Apostles 10:44-48; 11:1-10
John 1:18-28
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Malachi the Prophet
Gordios the Martyr of Caesarea
Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Righteous Genevieve of Paris
Righteous Peter of Atroas
Righteous Akakios the Wonderworker
Righteous Thomas of Lesbos
Epistle Reading
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 10:44-48; 11:1-10
IN THOSE DAYS, while Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit
fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the
circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy
Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them
speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, "Can any one
forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. Now
the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the
Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to
Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, "Why did you go to
uncircumcised men and eat with them?" But Peter began and explained to them in
order: "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a
vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by
four corners; and it came down to me. Looking at it closely I observed
animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard
a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I said, 'No,
Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But the
voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you
must not call common.' This happened three times, and all was drawn up
again into heaven."
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 1:18-28
No one has ever seen God; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom
of the Father, he has made him known.
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and
Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, he did
not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him,
"What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the
prophet?" And he answered, "No." They said to him then, "Who are you? let
us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about
yourself?" He said, " I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make
straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Then why
are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the
prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stands
one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of
whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." This took place in Bethany
beyond the Jordon, where John was baptizing.
(C) 2010 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Malachi the Prophet
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Prophet Malachias ("messenger of God") is the last of the twelve
minor Prophets, and also of all the Prophets of the Old Testament. He
prophesied in the days of Nehemias, a wise man among the Jews, who also held
a high and powerful position in the court of Artaxerxes the
Long-armed, King of the Persians, who reigned from 465 to 424 B.C. Malachias'
book of prophecy is divided into four chapters; he foretold the coming
of Christ as the Sun of Righteousness (4:2)
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Malachi, O Lord, through
him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Since the gift of prophecy dwelt in thee richly, thou, O Prophet,
clearly didst foretell the coming of Christ God and the salvation of all
the world, which is enlightened through grace by His shining forth.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Gordios the Martyr of Caesarea
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Martyr Gordius who was from Caesarea of Cappadocia, was a
centurion by rank. Unable to bear the impiety of the heathen, he withdrew
to the wilderness to purify himself through prayer and fasting.
After he perceived that his ascetical training had prepared him
sufficiently, he came down from the mountains when a certain pagan festival was
held in Caesarea, attended by all, and presented himself before the
multitude. Although the spectacles of the festival continued, no one paid
them any heed, but all eyes were turned upon him. From his sojourn in
the mountains, his look was wild, his beard was long, his raiment
squalid, his body like a skeleton; yet a certain grace shone round about
him. He was recognized, and a loud shout and tumult was made as his
fellow Christians rejoiced, and the enemies of the truth cried out for
his death. He boldly professed his faith before the Governor, and
after torments was beheaded, in the reign of Licinius in the year 314.
Saint Basil the Great delivered a homily on Saint Gordius, mentioning
that some of those in his audience had been present at the saint's
martyrdom (PG 31:497).
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the
prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal
God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants
and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ
God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The whole earth hast thou watered with thy sweat and toils, O
glorious one, and hast made all the world glad with thy precious blood, O
godly-minded Gordius. By thine earnest entreaties, O famed Martyr, save all
them that sing thy praise in faith and worthily revere thee as one
that hath truly suffered much.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Be thou ready, Zabulon; prepare thyself, O Nephthalim. River
Jordan, stay thy course and skip for gladness to receive the Sovereign
Master, Who cometh now to be baptized. O Adam, be thou glad with our
first mother, Eve; hide not as ye did of old in Paradise. Seeing you
naked, He hath appeared now to clothe you in the first robe again.
Christ hath appeared, for He truly willeth to renew all creation.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of
all crieth to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me,
for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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