From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 3:8-21
Mark 6:7-13
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
17th Wednesday after Pentecost
Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch
Markellos, Philagrios, & Pankratios the Hieromartyrs
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 3:8-21
BRETHREN, to me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace
was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden
for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the
manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose
which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have
boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. So l ask you
not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your
glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be
strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ
may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and
grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is
the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of
Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the
fulness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to
do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever
and ever. Amen.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Mark 6:7-13
At that time, Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and began to
send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean
spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff;
no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and
not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Where you enter a house,
stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not
receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the
dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." So they went
out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many
demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Leavetaking 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.
Kontakion in the First Tone
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands
of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give
peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in
authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press
Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch
Reading from the Synaxarion:
This Martyr, who was from Antioch in Syria, contested during the reign
of Gallienus, about the year 260. Through the working of the evil
one, his friendship with a certain Christian priest named Sapricius
was turned to bitter hatred. Nicephorus, repenting of his enmity,
tried both through intermediaries and in person to be reconciled with
Sapricius, but to no avail. Later, when the persecution broke out under
Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was seized as a Christian. When Saint
Nicephorus learned that Sapricius had been arrested by the pagans and was
enduring torments for Christ, he sent intermediaries to Sapricius, begging
his forgiveness; but Sapricius would not forgive him. Later, as
Sapricius was being taken to beheading, Nicephorus, hoping that Sapricius,
at his end, in such a holy hour, would at last forgive him, met him
on the way, fell before him, and fervently asked his forgiveness;
but Sapricius forgave him not. Wherefore, though Sapricius had
passed through many sufferings, and the crown of martyrdom was now
awaiting him, because he disdained the chief commandments of love and
forgiveness, the grace of God, which had been strengthening him in his
torments, departed from him, and he told his executioners he would
sacrifice. Nicephorus immediately confessed Christ before them, and being
himself beheaded, took the crown that Sapricius had cast away.
Should the Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple fall on
this day the service to Saint Nicephorus is chanted on the 8th.
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 First Tone
Bound fast with chains of love, thou didst mightily sunder the
wickedness of hatred with manifest courage, and hence, O Nicephorus, when
the sword had cut off thy head, thou wast shown to be a godly Martyr
of Jesus, our Incarnate Saviour; pray Him for us who honor thy
glorious memory.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 3:8-21
Mark 6:7-13
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
17th Wednesday after Pentecost
Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch
Markellos, Philagrios, & Pankratios the Hieromartyrs
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 3:8-21
BRETHREN, to me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace
was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden
for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the
manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose
which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have
boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. So l ask you
not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your
glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be
strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ
may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and
grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is
the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of
Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the
fulness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to
do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever
and ever. Amen.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Mark 6:7-13
At that time, Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and began to
send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean
spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff;
no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and
not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Where you enter a house,
stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not
receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the
dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." So they went
out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many
demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Leavetaking 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.
Kontakion in the First Tone
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands
of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give
peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in
authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press
Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch
Reading from the Synaxarion:
This Martyr, who was from Antioch in Syria, contested during the reign
of Gallienus, about the year 260. Through the working of the evil
one, his friendship with a certain Christian priest named Sapricius
was turned to bitter hatred. Nicephorus, repenting of his enmity,
tried both through intermediaries and in person to be reconciled with
Sapricius, but to no avail. Later, when the persecution broke out under
Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was seized as a Christian. When Saint
Nicephorus learned that Sapricius had been arrested by the pagans and was
enduring torments for Christ, he sent intermediaries to Sapricius, begging
his forgiveness; but Sapricius would not forgive him. Later, as
Sapricius was being taken to beheading, Nicephorus, hoping that Sapricius,
at his end, in such a holy hour, would at last forgive him, met him
on the way, fell before him, and fervently asked his forgiveness;
but Sapricius forgave him not. Wherefore, though Sapricius had
passed through many sufferings, and the crown of martyrdom was now
awaiting him, because he disdained the chief commandments of love and
forgiveness, the grace of God, which had been strengthening him in his
torments, departed from him, and he told his executioners he would
sacrifice. Nicephorus immediately confessed Christ before them, and being
himself beheaded, took the crown that Sapricius had cast away.
Should the Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple fall on
this day the service to Saint Nicephorus is chanted on the 8th.
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 First Tone
Bound fast with chains of love, thou didst mightily sunder the
wickedness of hatred with manifest courage, and hence, O Nicephorus, when
the sword had cut off thy head, thou wast shown to be a godly Martyr
of Jesus, our Incarnate Saviour; pray Him for us who honor thy
glorious memory.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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