From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10
Matthew 10:16-22
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Theodore the Commander & Great Martyr
Zechariah the Prophet
Nicephoros & Stephanos the Martyrs
Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10
BRETHREN, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he
loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with
him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his
grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been
saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of
God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 10:16-22
The Lord said to his disciples, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in
the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in
their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings
for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When
they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what
you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that
hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the
father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them
put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he
who endures to the end will be saved."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Theodore the Commander & Great Martyr
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The holy Martyr Theodore was from Euchaita of Galatia and dwelt in
Heraclea of Pontus. He was a renowned commander in the military, and the
report came to the Emperor Licinius that he was a Christian and
abominated the idols. Licinius therefore sent certain men to him from
Nicomedia, to honor him and ask him to appear before him. Through them,
however, Saint Theodore sent back a message that it was necessary for
various reasons, that Licinius come to Heraclea. Licinius, seeing in
this a hope of turning Saint Theodore away from Christ did as was
asked of him.
When the Emperor came to Heraclea, Saint Theodore met him with honor,
and the Emperor in turn gave Theodore his hand, believing that
through him he would be able to draw the Christians to the worship of his
idols. Seated upon his throne in the midst of the people, he publicly
bade Theodore offer sacrifice to the gods. But Theodore asked that
the emperor entrust him with the most venerable of his gods, those of
gold and silver, that he might take them home and himself attend upon
them that evening, promising that the following day he would honor
them in public. The Emperor, filled with joy at these tidings, gave
command that Theodore's request be fulfilled.
When the Saint had taken the idols home, he broke them in pieces and
distributed the gold and silver to the poor by night. The next day a
centurion named Maxentius told Licinius that he had seen a pauper pass by
carrying the head of Artemis. Saint Theodore, far from repenting of this,
confessed Christ boldly. Licinius, in an uncontainable fury, had the Saint
put to many torments, then crucified. While upon the cross, the holy
Martyr was further tormented -- his privy parts were cut off, he was
shot with arrows, his eyes were put out, and he was left on the cross
to die. The next day Licinius sent men to take his corpse and cast
it into the sea; but they found the Saint alive and perfectly whole.
Through this, many believed in Christ. Seeing his own men
turning to Christ, and the city in an uproar, Licinius had Theodore
beheaded, about the year 320. The Saint's holy relics were returned to his
ancestral home on June 8, which is also a feast of the Great Martyr
Theodore.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
In truth enlisted with the King of the Heavens, thou didst become
for Him a noble commander, O trophy-bearer and Great Martyr Theodore.
With the weaponry of faith didst thou arm thyself wisely and
didst utterly destroy all the hordes of the demons, as a triumphant
athlete of the Lord; wherefore we ever do faithfully call thee blest.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
In courage of soul, and furnished with the arms of faith, thou
tookest in hand the word of God as though a spear and didst put thy foe
to flight, thou great boast of martyrs, O Theodore; now together
with them, O Saint, cease not to entreat Christ our God for all of us.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Zechariah the Prophet
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Prophet Zachariah was the son of Barachias, and a contemporary of
the Prophet Aggeus (Dec. 16). In the days of the Babylonian
captivity, he prophesied, as it says, in the book of Ezra, "to the Jews that
were in Judah and Jerusalem" (Ezra 5: 1); he aided Zerubbabel in the
rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. In the book of Ezra he is called
"Zachariah the son of Addo (or Iddo)" but in his own prophetic book he is
called more fully "Zachariah, the son of Barachias, the son of Addo the
Prophet" (Zach. 1:1). When the captives returned from Babylon, he came to
dwell in Jerusalem in his old age. His book of prophecy is divided
into fourteen chapters and has the eleventh place among the books of
the minor Prophets; his name means "Yah is renowned." Sozomen reports
that under the Emperor Honorius, Zachariah's holy relics were found in
Eleutheropolis of Palestine. The Prophet appeared in a dream to a certain
Calemerus, telling him where he would find his tomb. His body was found to
be incorrupt (Eccl. Hist., Book IX, 17).
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Zachariah, O Lord, through
him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
As a brightly-shining lamp that was illumined with the Spirit's
fiery beams, O Zachariah most renowned, thou didst prefigure with
clarity the Savior's great and untold condescension toward us.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of
Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And
you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance
of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10
Matthew 10:16-22
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Theodore the Commander & Great Martyr
Zechariah the Prophet
Nicephoros & Stephanos the Martyrs
Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10
BRETHREN, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he
loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with
him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his
grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been
saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of
God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 10:16-22
The Lord said to his disciples, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in
the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in
their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings
for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When
they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what
you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that
hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the
father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them
put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he
who endures to the end will be saved."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Theodore the Commander & Great Martyr
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The holy Martyr Theodore was from Euchaita of Galatia and dwelt in
Heraclea of Pontus. He was a renowned commander in the military, and the
report came to the Emperor Licinius that he was a Christian and
abominated the idols. Licinius therefore sent certain men to him from
Nicomedia, to honor him and ask him to appear before him. Through them,
however, Saint Theodore sent back a message that it was necessary for
various reasons, that Licinius come to Heraclea. Licinius, seeing in
this a hope of turning Saint Theodore away from Christ did as was
asked of him.
When the Emperor came to Heraclea, Saint Theodore met him with honor,
and the Emperor in turn gave Theodore his hand, believing that
through him he would be able to draw the Christians to the worship of his
idols. Seated upon his throne in the midst of the people, he publicly
bade Theodore offer sacrifice to the gods. But Theodore asked that
the emperor entrust him with the most venerable of his gods, those of
gold and silver, that he might take them home and himself attend upon
them that evening, promising that the following day he would honor
them in public. The Emperor, filled with joy at these tidings, gave
command that Theodore's request be fulfilled.
When the Saint had taken the idols home, he broke them in pieces and
distributed the gold and silver to the poor by night. The next day a
centurion named Maxentius told Licinius that he had seen a pauper pass by
carrying the head of Artemis. Saint Theodore, far from repenting of this,
confessed Christ boldly. Licinius, in an uncontainable fury, had the Saint
put to many torments, then crucified. While upon the cross, the holy
Martyr was further tormented -- his privy parts were cut off, he was
shot with arrows, his eyes were put out, and he was left on the cross
to die. The next day Licinius sent men to take his corpse and cast
it into the sea; but they found the Saint alive and perfectly whole.
Through this, many believed in Christ. Seeing his own men
turning to Christ, and the city in an uproar, Licinius had Theodore
beheaded, about the year 320. The Saint's holy relics were returned to his
ancestral home on June 8, which is also a feast of the Great Martyr
Theodore.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
In truth enlisted with the King of the Heavens, thou didst become
for Him a noble commander, O trophy-bearer and Great Martyr Theodore.
With the weaponry of faith didst thou arm thyself wisely and
didst utterly destroy all the hordes of the demons, as a triumphant
athlete of the Lord; wherefore we ever do faithfully call thee blest.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
In courage of soul, and furnished with the arms of faith, thou
tookest in hand the word of God as though a spear and didst put thy foe
to flight, thou great boast of martyrs, O Theodore; now together
with them, O Saint, cease not to entreat Christ our God for all of us.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Zechariah the Prophet
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The Prophet Zachariah was the son of Barachias, and a contemporary of
the Prophet Aggeus (Dec. 16). In the days of the Babylonian
captivity, he prophesied, as it says, in the book of Ezra, "to the Jews that
were in Judah and Jerusalem" (Ezra 5: 1); he aided Zerubbabel in the
rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. In the book of Ezra he is called
"Zachariah the son of Addo (or Iddo)" but in his own prophetic book he is
called more fully "Zachariah, the son of Barachias, the son of Addo the
Prophet" (Zach. 1:1). When the captives returned from Babylon, he came to
dwell in Jerusalem in his old age. His book of prophecy is divided
into fourteen chapters and has the eleventh place among the books of
the minor Prophets; his name means "Yah is renowned." Sozomen reports
that under the Emperor Honorius, Zachariah's holy relics were found in
Eleutheropolis of Palestine. The Prophet appeared in a dream to a certain
Calemerus, telling him where he would find his tomb. His body was found to
be incorrupt (Eccl. Hist., Book IX, 17).
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Zachariah, O Lord, through
him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
As a brightly-shining lamp that was illumined with the Spirit's
fiery beams, O Zachariah most renowned, thou didst prefigure with
clarity the Savior's great and untold condescension toward us.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of
Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And
you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance
of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
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