From ethiopianorthodoxtewahedo.com, ninesaintsethiopianorthodoxmonastery.org ethiopiantewahedo.com, kidusmarkos.com and www.ethiopianorthodoxchurch.info/DailyPrayers:
Daily Mariam Prayer and Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Kidist Mariam (Holy Virgin Mary); On this day is commemorated our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, the God-bearer. Salutation to thee, O Mary, thou light of life; And on this day also died the holy father Abba Gabriel, the sixty-seventh Archbishop of the city of Alexandria; And on this day also died the holy father, Abba Zachariah, Bishop of the city of Saha; And on this day also Saint Onesimus, the priest, and the disciple of Paul the apostle, became a martyr; And on this day also died Abba Peter, Bishop of Damascus; And on this day also died Abba ‘Akyos, and Abba Gabriel, Bishop of Ethiopia
The Great Holy Lenten Fast - Abye Tsome
Yekatit 21 - February 28
THE BEGINNING OF HOLY LENT - ABBIY TSOM
Monday, Yekatit 21 - February 28, Ethiopians Orthodox Tewahedo Christians around the world will begin the observance of HOLY LENT - ABBIY TSOM. Our beginning of the Lenten season begins one full week before Eastern Orthodox Christians, who will begin Holy Lent on Monday, March 7th and Roman Catholics and other Western (Latin rite) Christians who begin Holy Lent on Wednesday, March 9th.
Let us now take a look at this opportunity as embarking on a journey planned to culminate with a passage into a better life. Far from being a trip of aimless spiritual gloom or dry self-denial, Great Holy Lent offers a healthy respite for anyone currently taking the hectic pace of life in this world too seriously. There are many miles to travel from vice to virtue, and vast waste lands of passions to be left behind. Yet, the trip, if well planned and faithfully traveled, also passes through oases wherein we may meet Him Who gives "living water." That same source of water which cleansed us as infants, from the stain of sin, can, as we seek Him, again, refresh us and fill us to endure the road ahead.
Most of us learned the Lenten drill of Prayer and Fasting, of Almsgiving and Repentance, from senior travelers who may have explained these as burdens, or who reduced the whole scene to a series of rules and regulations. Let's face it; that was before we knew what a drudgery making our own decisions and having to live with the results could be. Since each of us should now know better, by a slight stretch of our imagination we might now realize that we have dismissed a good thing, without personally trying it.
Repentance, the essential goal, is not about trying to placate Almighty God regarding our past sins. Our Great Lord and God see through that, so, whoever goes there is just deceiving himself. As soon as we learn to deal honestly with Almighty God, He has already taken care of our past. Our reconciliation with Him is about us identifying and taking responsibility for mistakes that we are currently making. Then, if after achieving some ease in dealing honestly with Almighty God, one must decide to stop making those mistakes, stop transferring blame onto others, and discard whatever compels one to be miserable. The above requires learning how to travel toward something better. It's really about finding the humility to ask for Almighty God's help to turn conscious decisions into a new way of life.
Correcting perspectives, setting priorities, and developing a sense of direction, as we travel, are critical tasks in the Lenten journey. We cannot arrive at our destination by continuing to dance around pig puddles. But, like the prodigal son, each of us must learn to let real hunger remind us to continue putting one foot in front of the other, until reaching that intersection where the Father waits. Our heavenly Father, awaiting our return, can turn our desire to be reconciled with Him, and with those against whom we have sinned. It is He, Who sent His Only-begotten Son into this world to call us to repentance and to raise us from darkness, directing us toward the brightness of His Kingdom.
He makes it possible for us to discover freedom from those passions which, while yet, well within our control, all too often, we allow to take control of us. The fruit of honest fasting enables us to regain control: not only of that, which goes into our mouths; but, more importantly, that which proceeds from it. As we fast from food, let us abstain also from every choice which takes our hearts, minds and spirits away from God.
Emptying ourselves of such preoccupations of our flesh, we find the freedom to discover the very image of the Lord Jesus in others, in "the least of the brethren"; even in our enemies, and to respond to them as we would respond to the Lord Himself. We offer our time, our talents, and our treasures, our very being, to those whose lives may be filled with burdens far greater than our own. By giving Alms, putting our money on our good intention lines, we reveal "the brightness of love" to those who hunger and thirst for a sign of hope, while soberly acknowledging that, at any moment, their plight could very well become our own. We seal all that we do during this blessed time of Great Lent with "the splendor of prayer," rejoicing in the knowledge that Almighty God indeed answers us, as He sees fit, and equips us with all that we need to continue our journey to the Feast of the Resurrection and beyond.
"Rejoicing in the virtues of the Spirit, may we persevere with love," the Church sings on the eve of Great Holy Lent, "and so be counted worthy to see the solemn Passion of Christ our God and with great spiritual joy to behold His Holy Resurrection!" We should be encouraged by every opportunity to discover that with Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving so that we achieve Repentance and therein the practice of virtue. That is how we might delight in "the Light, Which is never overcome by darkness."
Rather than imposing burdens upon us, Holy Lent frees us from those things which weigh us down, physically as well as spiritually. We should take it as challenges to rid ourselves of worldly designations as consumers. Instead, let us redefining our roles by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ's invitation to become the "light of the world." Acknowledging that distinction, here and now, brings us into the very brightness of that Kingdom which, while yet to be fulfilled, is already revealed to those preparing to celebrate it.
As we journey together toward the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, may we not lose sight of the joy that comes from repentance. Together, let us sing, "Cleanse me in the waters of repentance, and through prayer and fasting make me shine with light!" Having been freed from "the works of darkness," let us "put on the armor of light," so that together, we might share in that eternal victory which brings us from darkness to light, from earth to heaven, and ultimately, from death to life!
As we enter this fast, let us not forget to ask forgiveness of each other. May these weeks of journey in prayer and fasting reveal in us true repentance. Then, shall we know the fullness of joy in our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
Daily Mariam Prayer (Hymn of Praise) for Monday, the Second Day of the Week:
1. God wished to set free Adam, who was sad at heart
and sorrowful, and in the greatness of His compassion and
mercy to bring him back to the state wherein he was
formerly. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
2. He rose up in flesh of the Virgin without the seed of man. He came and saved us. God passed the decree of
judgment upon Eve whom the serpent led astray, saying,
“ I will multiply greatly thy pain and thy suffering ”
(Gen. 3:16). Nevertheless, his heart inclined to love for
man, and He set him free. He hath appeared.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
3. Eeyesus Kristos, the WORD Who became incarnate,
and He dwelt with us, and we saw His glory like the glory
of the Only-Begotten of His Father (John1:14). He hath
been pleased to show compassion upon us. He hath
appeared. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4. Isaiah the Prophet in the spirit of prophecy saw the
mystery of Immanuel, and therefore he cried out, saying,
“A Child is born unto us, a Son is given unto us” (Isaiah 9:6).
He hath appeared. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US
5. Rejoice and be glad, O race of children of men, for God
hath loved the world, and given His only Son that all who
believe In Him may have everlasting life (John 3:16).
The Most High hath sent unto us His arm.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
6. He Who was and shall be, He Who came and shall come
again, is Eeyesus Kristos, the Word Who became incarnate
without any change. He was a perfect man, without division
and without separation, in all His work the Only-Begotten,
but with one form, one being, and one divinity (or, Godhead)
God the Word. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
7. Rejoice, O Bethlehem, the town of the Prophets, for in
thee was born Christ, the second Adam, so that He might
bring the Adam from the earth into the Garden (I.e.Paradise) and destroy the doom of death.
O Adam, dust thou art and to dust shall thou return. Where
sin abounded there the grace of God abounded likewise
(Romans 5:20). O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
8. Let all souls of men rejoice and be glad with the Angels,
and let them praise Kristos, the King, and cry out and say,
“Glory to God in the Heavens, and peace on earth (and) His
good will to all men” (St. Luke2:14). He hath abolished the
things of old, and overthrown the plot of the Enemy, and torn
in pieces the bill of indictment (Ephesians 2:15) of Adam
and Eve and set them free, He Who was born for us in the
City of David, our Redeemer, Eeyesus Kristos hath done
this. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
9. Thou light, Who in truth illuminest all men who dwell in
the world, because of thy love for man, Thou hast come into
the world. All created things rejoiced at Thy coming,
because Thou did deliver Adam from his error, and did set
free Eve from the suffering of death and hast given unto us
the soul of prophesy. We bless Thee with Thine Angels.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
Scriptural Readings:
Week Three, Day Two
The Sixteenth day
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father ……
Opening prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, true light of the world, as you enlighten all men and women for their salvation, grant us your grace, we pray, to help us to herald your coming in glory by preparing the ways of justice and of peace. We ask this in your holy Son’s name. Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen Our Father….
Psalm 79: 1-13
79:1 O God, the heathen are come into your inheritance; your holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. 79:2 The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be meat to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. 79:3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them. 79:4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. 79:5 How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry forever? shall your jealousy burn like fire? 79:6 Pour out your wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name. 79:7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. 79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let your tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for your name's sake. 79:10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of your servants which is shed. 79:11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of your power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; 79:12 And render to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. 79:13 So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give thee thanks forever: we will declarethy praise to all generations. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 80: 1-19
80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. 80:2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up your strength, and come and save us. 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. 80:4 O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of your people? 80:5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. 80:6 You make us a strife to our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. 80:7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. 80:8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the heathen, and planted it. 80:9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. 80:10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs there of were like the goodly cedars. 80:11 She sent out her boughs to the sea, and her branches to the river. 80:12 Why have you then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? 80:13 The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it. 80:14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; 80:15 And the vineyard which your right hand hath planted, and the branch that you made strong for thyself. 80:16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. 80:17 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for thyself. 80:18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon your name. 80:19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 81: 1-16/17
81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength: make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 81:4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. 81:5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. 81:6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. 81:7 Thou calledest in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. 81:8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me; 81:9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shall thou worship any strange god. 81:10 I am the Lord your God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 81:11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 81:12 So I gave them up to their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways! 81:14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. 81:15 The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves to him: but their time should have endured forever. 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Proverbs 28: 12-14
28:12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief. He who receives the prophet the by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s …
2nd Reading
Jude 1: 20-21
1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. He who receives the apostle the by the name of the apostle, shall receive the apostle’s …
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 108: 1-2
108:1 O god, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St John 15: 1-4
15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life…
Concluding prayer
Lord, our heavenly Father, we pray that your grace may always prevail and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever. Amen Our Father who art……..
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The Sixteenth Day
Evening prayer
In the name of the Father …………
Opening Prayer
O Almighty and most merciful God, of your bountiful goodness keep us, we beg you, from all things that may hurt us; that we being ready both in body, soul and spirit, may cheerfully accomplish those things that you would have done; we make this our evening prayer through your most holy name’s sake. Amen. Our Father….O My Lady Mary ….
Psalm 82: 1-end
82:1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods. 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 82:7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shall inherit all nations. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 83: 1-18/end
83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God. 83:2 For, lo, your enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones. 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 83:5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. 83:9 Do to them as to the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 83:10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. 83:14 As the fire burns a wood, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire; 83:15 So persecute them with your tempest, and make them afraid with your storm. 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, O Lord. 83:17 Let them be confounded and troubled forever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 84: 1-end
84:1 How amiable are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! 84:2 My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in your house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also fills the pools. 84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appears before God. 84:8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of your anointed. 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 84:12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in thee. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 85: 1-13
85:1 Lord, you have been favourable to your land: you have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 85:2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people, you have covered all their sin. Selah. 85:3 You have taken away all your wrath: you have turned thyself from the fierceness of your anger. 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause your anger toward us to cease. 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us forever? wilt thou draw out your anger to all generations? 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that your people may rejoice in thee? 85:7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. 85:8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace to his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 85:12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Scripture Readings
The Pentacost
1st Reading
1st Samuel 15: 22-23
15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. He who receives the prophet the by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s …
2nd Reading
Revelation 5: 9-10
5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 5:10 And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 128: 1-2
128:1 Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; that walks in his ways. 128:2 For thou shall eat the labour of your hands: happy shall thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Luke 16: 10-13
16;10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. It is easier for heaven and to pass, than one ….
Concluding prayer
O Lord, our heavenly Father, we beseech you mercifully to hear us; and grant us that we, to whom you have given an hearty desire to pray daily, may by your mighty aid be defended and comforted from all dangers, harm and adversities; we make this our evening prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen. Our Father… O my Lady Mary…
The Synaxarium:
THE SIXTH MONTH
YEKATIT 21
(February 28)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day is commemorated our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, the God-bearer. Salutation to thee, O Mary, thou light of life.
And on this day also died the holy father Abba Gabriel, the sixty-seventh Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. This father became a monk in his early years in the desert of Scete, and he fought a great fight, and he devoted himself to the ascetic life for many years, with fasting, and prayer, and prostrations, and vigils, and hunger, and thirst; and he was humble, and simple, and loved to live by himself. One day there came into his cell a certain elder, whose name was Maximus to be blessed by him, and Gabriel prayed over him and he went forth to depart to his own place. And the holy elder Maximus laid hold upon him, and said unto him, “O my son, why dost thou flee from men, for thou wilt be obliged to dwell among many men and women”; and this father did not understand the meaning of the words of the elder, and he wept frequently, and entreated God to deliver him from the nets of the Enemy. And when Abba Michael, the Archbishop, his predecessor, died, they seized this father and against his will made him archbishop, even as the elder had prophesied concerning him. And having been appointed he did not become slothful in his office, and he did not abandon his spiritual fight, or his strenuous ascetic life, nor his piety; and he dwelt continually in the desert of Scete. And when affairs connected with the work of the churches compelled him to go to the city of Alexandria and to Mesr (Cairo), he used to go quickly, and return to the desert of Scete. When he was in the youth of his days the lust for fornication used to bestir itself in him, and [although] he increased his fasts and vigils in order to subdue the lust, he was unable to do so; and he confessed this to a certain elder in the desert of Scete. And that elder said unto him, “Nothing will destroy lust except humility, coupled with fasting, and prayer, and prostration, and vigils, and those alone will save [a man] form it.” When he heard this he made himself a shovel of iron, and he used to get up in the night and dress himself in mean and ragged garments, and go round into all the cells of the monks, and clear out the offal from them and take it away, and cast it out at a great distance from the cells. And he continued to do this kind of work for a period of two years, when God saw his purity and the humility of his heart and removed from him the natural lust for fornication. And this father continued to lead the ascetic life and to fight the fight, and he admonished and taught his people, and strengthened them in the True Faith for a period of eleven years; and he died in peace. Salutation to Gabriel for his righteousness and faith.
And on this day also died the holy father, Abba Zachariah, Bishop of the city of Saha. This saint was one of the children of those skilled in the Law, and his father abandoned the Law, and was made a priest; and his name was John. And when the son of John had grown up, and had studied the profane learning and the philosophy of the pagans, and the Law of the Church, the captain of the king’s host took him and made him a scribe in the house of the king. And he had a friend in the Law, whose name was Ptolemy, and who was governor of the city of Saha; and they agreed together to go to the desert of Scete and to become monks. And at that time there visited them a certain monk from the monastery of Saint Abba John of the desert of Scete, and they made an agreement to go there with him; and when the governors heard of this they sent and prevented their going. And having tarried a few days they saw a vision, and it seemed as if one said unto them, “Why do you not fulfill the vow which ye have vowed to God?
And they rose up straightway, and went forth in secret, but they did not know the way, and a monk appeared unto them and guided them, and brought them to the monastery of Saint Abba John, of the desert of Scete. And when the governors heard of their departure, they agreed that they would obtain an order from the king and send it with messengers to make them to come down from the monastery; but God scattered their counsel. And when Zachariah and Ptolemy had become monks, they fought the fight and followed the ascetic life strenuously, especially Zachariah. And in their days lived the elders Abba Abraham and Abba Ga’Argi, and they used to visit the young men, and give them advice concerning all their works. When the Bishop of the city of Soha died, the people remembered Saint Abba Zachariah, and they wrote a letter to the archbishop on his behalf, asking him to appoint him to be their bishop. And the archbishop sent to the desert of Scete and had Zachariah brought against his will, and he appointed him Bishop of the city of Soha. And whilst the archbishop was laying his hand upon him, he saw the power of God descend upon him, and his face was wreathed with light. And when he came to the throne of his office the people rejoiced in him with great joy, and they went out to meet him as [the men of old] met our Redeemer on the festival of Hosanna {Palm Sunday); and the Church was resplendent through him. And this father composed many Homilies, and Admonitions, and works on Doctrine; and his voice was exceedingly sweet, and was filled with the grace of the Holy Ghost. And he sat upon his archiepiscopal throne forty years, and he was well-pleasing to God and died in peace. Salutation to Zachariah.
And on this day also Saint Onesimus, the priest, and the disciple of Paul the apostle, became a martyr. When Paul the apostle had preached in the city of Rome, Philemon departed from the city of Rome and took with him among his servants this Onesimus. And Satan led him into error and corrupted his heart, and he stole money from his master Philemon and from other men like him; and when he knew that his master was going to punish him, he fled and came to the city of Rome. By the Will of God he came to the apostle, and heard his teaching, and his teaching entered his heart, and he believed through him, and the fear of God came into his heart. And he remembered what he had done, and how he had stolen money from his master and from others, and he had nothing of it left with him, which he could restore to them of their money. And he was sorry, and he came to Saint Paul and told him everything which had happened to him. And the apostle said unto him, “Fear not, neither let thy heart be sorrowful.” And he wrote an epistle unto Philemon his master; and this epistle is one of the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. And Paul commanded him concerning Saint Onesimus, and he said unto him, “Protect him, for he hath become a disciple of Christ, and my son in the preaching of the Gospel.” And he commanded him concerning Onesimus, and said unto him, “Forgive him his sin in stealing thy money, and receive him as myself. And if he hath wronged thee in aught, and he ought to repay thee, set it to my account. I, Paul, have written it with mine own hand; howbeit I say not that thou art thyself in debt to me.” And when this Saint Onesimus came with the letter to his master Philemon, he rejoiced in his faith and repentance, and did to him even as the Apostle Paul had commanded him. And Philemon added to his great love for Onesimus, and he commanded [his steward to give] to him much money for him to take, and he would take nothing whatsoever of it, and he said, “I have become a rich man in Christ.” And when Philemon bade Onesimus farewell, and set him on his road, and Onesimus returned to the city of Rome, and ministered unto Paul, the Apostle, until the time of his martyrdom. And Paul praised this saint and made him a priest, and the Apostles praise him and mention him in the seventy-seventh Canon, and in the fifty-third Canon, and they say of him that he was a “faithful priest.” And after the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul, the captain of the host of the Emperor of Rome took this saint, and banished him to an island, and he dwelt there and taught the men the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. And they beat him severely and made him to suffer agony, and then they broke his thighs, and he departed to God. Salutation to Onesimus the disciple of Paul.
And on this day also died Abba Peter, Bishop of Damascus.
[And on this day also died Abba ‘Akyos, and Abba Gabriel, Bishop of Ethiopia.]
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
Daily Mariam Prayer and Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Kidist Mariam (Holy Virgin Mary); On this day is commemorated our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, the God-bearer. Salutation to thee, O Mary, thou light of life; And on this day also died the holy father Abba Gabriel, the sixty-seventh Archbishop of the city of Alexandria; And on this day also died the holy father, Abba Zachariah, Bishop of the city of Saha; And on this day also Saint Onesimus, the priest, and the disciple of Paul the apostle, became a martyr; And on this day also died Abba Peter, Bishop of Damascus; And on this day also died Abba ‘Akyos, and Abba Gabriel, Bishop of Ethiopia
The Great Holy Lenten Fast - Abye Tsome
Yekatit 21 - February 28
THE BEGINNING OF HOLY LENT - ABBIY TSOM
Monday, Yekatit 21 - February 28, Ethiopians Orthodox Tewahedo Christians around the world will begin the observance of HOLY LENT - ABBIY TSOM. Our beginning of the Lenten season begins one full week before Eastern Orthodox Christians, who will begin Holy Lent on Monday, March 7th and Roman Catholics and other Western (Latin rite) Christians who begin Holy Lent on Wednesday, March 9th.
Let us now take a look at this opportunity as embarking on a journey planned to culminate with a passage into a better life. Far from being a trip of aimless spiritual gloom or dry self-denial, Great Holy Lent offers a healthy respite for anyone currently taking the hectic pace of life in this world too seriously. There are many miles to travel from vice to virtue, and vast waste lands of passions to be left behind. Yet, the trip, if well planned and faithfully traveled, also passes through oases wherein we may meet Him Who gives "living water." That same source of water which cleansed us as infants, from the stain of sin, can, as we seek Him, again, refresh us and fill us to endure the road ahead.
Most of us learned the Lenten drill of Prayer and Fasting, of Almsgiving and Repentance, from senior travelers who may have explained these as burdens, or who reduced the whole scene to a series of rules and regulations. Let's face it; that was before we knew what a drudgery making our own decisions and having to live with the results could be. Since each of us should now know better, by a slight stretch of our imagination we might now realize that we have dismissed a good thing, without personally trying it.
Repentance, the essential goal, is not about trying to placate Almighty God regarding our past sins. Our Great Lord and God see through that, so, whoever goes there is just deceiving himself. As soon as we learn to deal honestly with Almighty God, He has already taken care of our past. Our reconciliation with Him is about us identifying and taking responsibility for mistakes that we are currently making. Then, if after achieving some ease in dealing honestly with Almighty God, one must decide to stop making those mistakes, stop transferring blame onto others, and discard whatever compels one to be miserable. The above requires learning how to travel toward something better. It's really about finding the humility to ask for Almighty God's help to turn conscious decisions into a new way of life.
Correcting perspectives, setting priorities, and developing a sense of direction, as we travel, are critical tasks in the Lenten journey. We cannot arrive at our destination by continuing to dance around pig puddles. But, like the prodigal son, each of us must learn to let real hunger remind us to continue putting one foot in front of the other, until reaching that intersection where the Father waits. Our heavenly Father, awaiting our return, can turn our desire to be reconciled with Him, and with those against whom we have sinned. It is He, Who sent His Only-begotten Son into this world to call us to repentance and to raise us from darkness, directing us toward the brightness of His Kingdom.
He makes it possible for us to discover freedom from those passions which, while yet, well within our control, all too often, we allow to take control of us. The fruit of honest fasting enables us to regain control: not only of that, which goes into our mouths; but, more importantly, that which proceeds from it. As we fast from food, let us abstain also from every choice which takes our hearts, minds and spirits away from God.
Emptying ourselves of such preoccupations of our flesh, we find the freedom to discover the very image of the Lord Jesus in others, in "the least of the brethren"; even in our enemies, and to respond to them as we would respond to the Lord Himself. We offer our time, our talents, and our treasures, our very being, to those whose lives may be filled with burdens far greater than our own. By giving Alms, putting our money on our good intention lines, we reveal "the brightness of love" to those who hunger and thirst for a sign of hope, while soberly acknowledging that, at any moment, their plight could very well become our own. We seal all that we do during this blessed time of Great Lent with "the splendor of prayer," rejoicing in the knowledge that Almighty God indeed answers us, as He sees fit, and equips us with all that we need to continue our journey to the Feast of the Resurrection and beyond.
"Rejoicing in the virtues of the Spirit, may we persevere with love," the Church sings on the eve of Great Holy Lent, "and so be counted worthy to see the solemn Passion of Christ our God and with great spiritual joy to behold His Holy Resurrection!" We should be encouraged by every opportunity to discover that with Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving so that we achieve Repentance and therein the practice of virtue. That is how we might delight in "the Light, Which is never overcome by darkness."
Rather than imposing burdens upon us, Holy Lent frees us from those things which weigh us down, physically as well as spiritually. We should take it as challenges to rid ourselves of worldly designations as consumers. Instead, let us redefining our roles by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ's invitation to become the "light of the world." Acknowledging that distinction, here and now, brings us into the very brightness of that Kingdom which, while yet to be fulfilled, is already revealed to those preparing to celebrate it.
As we journey together toward the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, may we not lose sight of the joy that comes from repentance. Together, let us sing, "Cleanse me in the waters of repentance, and through prayer and fasting make me shine with light!" Having been freed from "the works of darkness," let us "put on the armor of light," so that together, we might share in that eternal victory which brings us from darkness to light, from earth to heaven, and ultimately, from death to life!
As we enter this fast, let us not forget to ask forgiveness of each other. May these weeks of journey in prayer and fasting reveal in us true repentance. Then, shall we know the fullness of joy in our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
Daily Mariam Prayer (Hymn of Praise) for Monday, the Second Day of the Week:
1. God wished to set free Adam, who was sad at heart
and sorrowful, and in the greatness of His compassion and
mercy to bring him back to the state wherein he was
formerly. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
2. He rose up in flesh of the Virgin without the seed of man. He came and saved us. God passed the decree of
judgment upon Eve whom the serpent led astray, saying,
“ I will multiply greatly thy pain and thy suffering ”
(Gen. 3:16). Nevertheless, his heart inclined to love for
man, and He set him free. He hath appeared.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
3. Eeyesus Kristos, the WORD Who became incarnate,
and He dwelt with us, and we saw His glory like the glory
of the Only-Begotten of His Father (John1:14). He hath
been pleased to show compassion upon us. He hath
appeared. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4. Isaiah the Prophet in the spirit of prophecy saw the
mystery of Immanuel, and therefore he cried out, saying,
“A Child is born unto us, a Son is given unto us” (Isaiah 9:6).
He hath appeared. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US
5. Rejoice and be glad, O race of children of men, for God
hath loved the world, and given His only Son that all who
believe In Him may have everlasting life (John 3:16).
The Most High hath sent unto us His arm.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
6. He Who was and shall be, He Who came and shall come
again, is Eeyesus Kristos, the Word Who became incarnate
without any change. He was a perfect man, without division
and without separation, in all His work the Only-Begotten,
but with one form, one being, and one divinity (or, Godhead)
God the Word. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
7. Rejoice, O Bethlehem, the town of the Prophets, for in
thee was born Christ, the second Adam, so that He might
bring the Adam from the earth into the Garden (I.e.Paradise) and destroy the doom of death.
O Adam, dust thou art and to dust shall thou return. Where
sin abounded there the grace of God abounded likewise
(Romans 5:20). O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
8. Let all souls of men rejoice and be glad with the Angels,
and let them praise Kristos, the King, and cry out and say,
“Glory to God in the Heavens, and peace on earth (and) His
good will to all men” (St. Luke2:14). He hath abolished the
things of old, and overthrown the plot of the Enemy, and torn
in pieces the bill of indictment (Ephesians 2:15) of Adam
and Eve and set them free, He Who was born for us in the
City of David, our Redeemer, Eeyesus Kristos hath done
this. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
9. Thou light, Who in truth illuminest all men who dwell in
the world, because of thy love for man, Thou hast come into
the world. All created things rejoiced at Thy coming,
because Thou did deliver Adam from his error, and did set
free Eve from the suffering of death and hast given unto us
the soul of prophesy. We bless Thee with Thine Angels.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
Scriptural Readings:
Week Three, Day Two
The Sixteenth day
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father ……
Opening prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, true light of the world, as you enlighten all men and women for their salvation, grant us your grace, we pray, to help us to herald your coming in glory by preparing the ways of justice and of peace. We ask this in your holy Son’s name. Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen Our Father….
Psalm 79: 1-13
79:1 O God, the heathen are come into your inheritance; your holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. 79:2 The dead bodies of your servants have they given to be meat to the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. 79:3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them. 79:4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. 79:5 How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry forever? shall your jealousy burn like fire? 79:6 Pour out your wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name. 79:7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. 79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let your tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for your name's sake. 79:10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of your servants which is shed. 79:11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of your power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; 79:12 And render to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. 79:13 So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give thee thanks forever: we will declarethy praise to all generations. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 80: 1-19
80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. 80:2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up your strength, and come and save us. 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. 80:4 O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of your people? 80:5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. 80:6 You make us a strife to our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. 80:7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. 80:8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the heathen, and planted it. 80:9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. 80:10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs there of were like the goodly cedars. 80:11 She sent out her boughs to the sea, and her branches to the river. 80:12 Why have you then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? 80:13 The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it. 80:14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; 80:15 And the vineyard which your right hand hath planted, and the branch that you made strong for thyself. 80:16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. 80:17 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for thyself. 80:18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon your name. 80:19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 81: 1-16/17
81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength: make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 81:4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. 81:5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. 81:6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. 81:7 Thou calledest in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. 81:8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me; 81:9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shall thou worship any strange god. 81:10 I am the Lord your God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 81:11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 81:12 So I gave them up to their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways! 81:14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. 81:15 The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves to him: but their time should have endured forever. 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Proverbs 28: 12-14
28:12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief. He who receives the prophet the by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s …
2nd Reading
Jude 1: 20-21
1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. He who receives the apostle the by the name of the apostle, shall receive the apostle’s …
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 108: 1-2
108:1 O god, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St John 15: 1-4
15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life…
Concluding prayer
Lord, our heavenly Father, we pray that your grace may always prevail and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever. Amen Our Father who art……..
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The Sixteenth Day
Evening prayer
In the name of the Father …………
Opening Prayer
O Almighty and most merciful God, of your bountiful goodness keep us, we beg you, from all things that may hurt us; that we being ready both in body, soul and spirit, may cheerfully accomplish those things that you would have done; we make this our evening prayer through your most holy name’s sake. Amen. Our Father….O My Lady Mary ….
Psalm 82: 1-end
82:1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods. 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 82:7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shall inherit all nations. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 83: 1-18/end
83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God. 83:2 For, lo, your enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones. 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 83:5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. 83:9 Do to them as to the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 83:10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. 83:14 As the fire burns a wood, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire; 83:15 So persecute them with your tempest, and make them afraid with your storm. 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, O Lord. 83:17 Let them be confounded and troubled forever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 84: 1-end
84:1 How amiable are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! 84:2 My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in your house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also fills the pools. 84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appears before God. 84:8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of your anointed. 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 84:12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in thee. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 85: 1-13
85:1 Lord, you have been favourable to your land: you have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 85:2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people, you have covered all their sin. Selah. 85:3 You have taken away all your wrath: you have turned thyself from the fierceness of your anger. 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause your anger toward us to cease. 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us forever? wilt thou draw out your anger to all generations? 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that your people may rejoice in thee? 85:7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. 85:8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace to his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 85:12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Scripture Readings
The Pentacost
1st Reading
1st Samuel 15: 22-23
15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. He who receives the prophet the by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s …
2nd Reading
Revelation 5: 9-10
5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 5:10 And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 128: 1-2
128:1 Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; that walks in his ways. 128:2 For thou shall eat the labour of your hands: happy shall thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Luke 16: 10-13
16;10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. It is easier for heaven and to pass, than one ….
Concluding prayer
O Lord, our heavenly Father, we beseech you mercifully to hear us; and grant us that we, to whom you have given an hearty desire to pray daily, may by your mighty aid be defended and comforted from all dangers, harm and adversities; we make this our evening prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen. Our Father… O my Lady Mary…
The Synaxarium:
THE SIXTH MONTH
YEKATIT 21
(February 28)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day is commemorated our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, the God-bearer. Salutation to thee, O Mary, thou light of life.
And on this day also died the holy father Abba Gabriel, the sixty-seventh Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. This father became a monk in his early years in the desert of Scete, and he fought a great fight, and he devoted himself to the ascetic life for many years, with fasting, and prayer, and prostrations, and vigils, and hunger, and thirst; and he was humble, and simple, and loved to live by himself. One day there came into his cell a certain elder, whose name was Maximus to be blessed by him, and Gabriel prayed over him and he went forth to depart to his own place. And the holy elder Maximus laid hold upon him, and said unto him, “O my son, why dost thou flee from men, for thou wilt be obliged to dwell among many men and women”; and this father did not understand the meaning of the words of the elder, and he wept frequently, and entreated God to deliver him from the nets of the Enemy. And when Abba Michael, the Archbishop, his predecessor, died, they seized this father and against his will made him archbishop, even as the elder had prophesied concerning him. And having been appointed he did not become slothful in his office, and he did not abandon his spiritual fight, or his strenuous ascetic life, nor his piety; and he dwelt continually in the desert of Scete. And when affairs connected with the work of the churches compelled him to go to the city of Alexandria and to Mesr (Cairo), he used to go quickly, and return to the desert of Scete. When he was in the youth of his days the lust for fornication used to bestir itself in him, and [although] he increased his fasts and vigils in order to subdue the lust, he was unable to do so; and he confessed this to a certain elder in the desert of Scete. And that elder said unto him, “Nothing will destroy lust except humility, coupled with fasting, and prayer, and prostration, and vigils, and those alone will save [a man] form it.” When he heard this he made himself a shovel of iron, and he used to get up in the night and dress himself in mean and ragged garments, and go round into all the cells of the monks, and clear out the offal from them and take it away, and cast it out at a great distance from the cells. And he continued to do this kind of work for a period of two years, when God saw his purity and the humility of his heart and removed from him the natural lust for fornication. And this father continued to lead the ascetic life and to fight the fight, and he admonished and taught his people, and strengthened them in the True Faith for a period of eleven years; and he died in peace. Salutation to Gabriel for his righteousness and faith.
And on this day also died the holy father, Abba Zachariah, Bishop of the city of Saha. This saint was one of the children of those skilled in the Law, and his father abandoned the Law, and was made a priest; and his name was John. And when the son of John had grown up, and had studied the profane learning and the philosophy of the pagans, and the Law of the Church, the captain of the king’s host took him and made him a scribe in the house of the king. And he had a friend in the Law, whose name was Ptolemy, and who was governor of the city of Saha; and they agreed together to go to the desert of Scete and to become monks. And at that time there visited them a certain monk from the monastery of Saint Abba John of the desert of Scete, and they made an agreement to go there with him; and when the governors heard of this they sent and prevented their going. And having tarried a few days they saw a vision, and it seemed as if one said unto them, “Why do you not fulfill the vow which ye have vowed to God?
And they rose up straightway, and went forth in secret, but they did not know the way, and a monk appeared unto them and guided them, and brought them to the monastery of Saint Abba John, of the desert of Scete. And when the governors heard of their departure, they agreed that they would obtain an order from the king and send it with messengers to make them to come down from the monastery; but God scattered their counsel. And when Zachariah and Ptolemy had become monks, they fought the fight and followed the ascetic life strenuously, especially Zachariah. And in their days lived the elders Abba Abraham and Abba Ga’Argi, and they used to visit the young men, and give them advice concerning all their works. When the Bishop of the city of Soha died, the people remembered Saint Abba Zachariah, and they wrote a letter to the archbishop on his behalf, asking him to appoint him to be their bishop. And the archbishop sent to the desert of Scete and had Zachariah brought against his will, and he appointed him Bishop of the city of Soha. And whilst the archbishop was laying his hand upon him, he saw the power of God descend upon him, and his face was wreathed with light. And when he came to the throne of his office the people rejoiced in him with great joy, and they went out to meet him as [the men of old] met our Redeemer on the festival of Hosanna {Palm Sunday); and the Church was resplendent through him. And this father composed many Homilies, and Admonitions, and works on Doctrine; and his voice was exceedingly sweet, and was filled with the grace of the Holy Ghost. And he sat upon his archiepiscopal throne forty years, and he was well-pleasing to God and died in peace. Salutation to Zachariah.
And on this day also Saint Onesimus, the priest, and the disciple of Paul the apostle, became a martyr. When Paul the apostle had preached in the city of Rome, Philemon departed from the city of Rome and took with him among his servants this Onesimus. And Satan led him into error and corrupted his heart, and he stole money from his master Philemon and from other men like him; and when he knew that his master was going to punish him, he fled and came to the city of Rome. By the Will of God he came to the apostle, and heard his teaching, and his teaching entered his heart, and he believed through him, and the fear of God came into his heart. And he remembered what he had done, and how he had stolen money from his master and from others, and he had nothing of it left with him, which he could restore to them of their money. And he was sorry, and he came to Saint Paul and told him everything which had happened to him. And the apostle said unto him, “Fear not, neither let thy heart be sorrowful.” And he wrote an epistle unto Philemon his master; and this epistle is one of the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. And Paul commanded him concerning Saint Onesimus, and he said unto him, “Protect him, for he hath become a disciple of Christ, and my son in the preaching of the Gospel.” And he commanded him concerning Onesimus, and said unto him, “Forgive him his sin in stealing thy money, and receive him as myself. And if he hath wronged thee in aught, and he ought to repay thee, set it to my account. I, Paul, have written it with mine own hand; howbeit I say not that thou art thyself in debt to me.” And when this Saint Onesimus came with the letter to his master Philemon, he rejoiced in his faith and repentance, and did to him even as the Apostle Paul had commanded him. And Philemon added to his great love for Onesimus, and he commanded [his steward to give] to him much money for him to take, and he would take nothing whatsoever of it, and he said, “I have become a rich man in Christ.” And when Philemon bade Onesimus farewell, and set him on his road, and Onesimus returned to the city of Rome, and ministered unto Paul, the Apostle, until the time of his martyrdom. And Paul praised this saint and made him a priest, and the Apostles praise him and mention him in the seventy-seventh Canon, and in the fifty-third Canon, and they say of him that he was a “faithful priest.” And after the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul, the captain of the host of the Emperor of Rome took this saint, and banished him to an island, and he dwelt there and taught the men the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. And they beat him severely and made him to suffer agony, and then they broke his thighs, and he departed to God. Salutation to Onesimus the disciple of Paul.
And on this day also died Abba Peter, Bishop of Damascus.
[And on this day also died Abba ‘Akyos, and Abba Gabriel, Bishop of Ethiopia.]
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
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