From: kidusmarkos.org, ethiopiantewahedo.org, ninesaintsethiopianorthodoxmonastery.org:
Daily Readings and Prayers:
Week One, Day Five
The Fifth Day
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Great Lent, St. Deqsius, On this day our Lord Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem and went about it amid “Hosannas,” in order that what each of the prophets in his time had prophesied concerning Him might be fulfilled, And on this day also died the holy father and spiritual man Abba Cyril, Bishop of the city of Jerusalem,
Daily Hymn of Praise to Mariam:
Hymn of Praise of the Virgin Mariam)
(E) Fifth Day of The Week - Thursday
1. The Bush which Moses saw in flaming fire in the desert,
the wood of which was not consumed, is a similitude of Mariam, the Virgin who was spotless. The word of the Father became incarnate of her, and the fire of His God- head did not consume the Virgin, and after she had brought Him forth, her virginity was maintained, and His God-head was unchanged. Our God, Who verily id God, became a man; He came and delivered us.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
2. We all magnify Thee, O our Lady, the God-bearer, that Thy compassion may be over us all. The Virgin Mariam, the God-bearer, hath became the object of the boast of us all, because through her was destroyed the curse of olden time, which rested upon our race, through her wickedness which the woman committed (when) she ate (of the tree),
Through Eve was the door of the garden shut fast, and because of Mariam the Virgin it has been opened to us again. It is allotted to us to eat of the tree of life, that is to say, the body of Kristos and his precious blood. Because of His love for us He came and delivered us. What understanding and what language, and what hearing is able to comprehend this mystery, which must be proclaimed to be wonderful, "God is the Lover of men"? One is He alone, The word of the Father, who existed before the world in His
incorruptible Godhead, from One, the Father. The Only begotton Son came and was incarnate of the Holy woman, His mother, and after she brought Him forth, her virginity perished not, and because of this, it became manifest that she was the Bearer of God.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
3. O deep is the richness of the wisdom of God ! The womb which He decreed should bring forth children in pain, and suffering and sorrow of heart, has become the fountain of life, and has brought forth without seed of man Him Who removed the curse from our race. Ans for this reason we will praise Him saying "Glory be to Thee, O Thou Good Friend of man, the Redeemer of our souls." We will magnify Thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
O how wonderful and might in power was the womb of the Virgin, which brought forth God without seed ! And for this the Angel who appeared unto Joseph was a witness when he spoke, saying "That which shall be born of her is of Holy Spirit" (Matt. 1:20). It was the Word of God Who became incarnate without change.
Mariam brought Him forth a second time, and Gabriel rejoiced and said unto her, "thou shall bring forth a Son and shall call His name Emmanuel, which is being interpreted, God with us. And moreover, He shall be called Eeyesus, Who shall save His people from their sins." Matt 1: 20-24
And may He save us also by His power, and forgive our sins because we have known in truth that He is the God Who became man. Praise be unto Him for ever and ever.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
O how wonderful is the birth of God by Mariam, the Holy Virgin ! She completed the Word of the Father; seed did not precede His birth, and her virginity was not destroyed by His birth. The Word went forth from the Father without weariness and was born of the Virgin without the suffering (or pain). The wise men woshiped Him, and brought unto Him incense became He was Holy, and gold because He was the King, and myrrh, which was given for His death which gave life (unto men). And for our sakes He accepted (death) of His own free will. He alone is the Good Being and Lover of men. We will magnify Thee.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4. O how wonderful ! He took a rib from the side of Adam, and fashioned from it a woman, and the whole creation of the children of men was given to God, the Word of the Father, Who was incarnate of the Holy Virgin, and is called Emmanuel. And because of this we beseech her at all times to strive on our behalf with her beloved Son for thr forgiveness of our sins. She was beneficent towards all the saints and the high priests, for she brought to the Prophets Him concerning Whom they had prophesied, and she brought forth to the Apostles Him in Whose Name they were to preach in all the ends of the world, and from her went forth for the martyrs and believers, Him for Whom they were to fight, Eeyesus Kristos.
The richness of the grace of His wisdom cannot be fathomed. We will seek after the greatness of His compassion, for He came and delivered us. We will magnify Thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
5. God swore unto David in rightousness, and He will not repent, "Of the fruit of the belly, I will seat upon Thy throne". (II Samuel 7:12; Psalm 132:11). And when that rightous man received it from Him, that Kristos should be born in the flesh, he wished to seek out and to prepare a dwelling place for God, the Word of the Father.And He completed it with great effort and then He cried out in the Holy Spirit and said, "Behold, we have heard it in Efrata and the dwelling-place of the God of Jacob, which in Bethlehem, in which Emmanuel has chosen to be born in the flesh for our salvation" (compare Psalm
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
6. And also another of the Prophets had said it; "And as for thee,O Bethlehem of the land of Efrata, thou shalt not be the least of the Kings of Judah, for from thee shall go forth a King Who shall rule my people Israel" (Micah 5: 2).
O how wonderful is the word of those who prophesied concerning Christ in one Spirit, to Whom be glory, together with the Good Father and the Holy Spirit, from now and forever, We will magnify thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM
When evil men revolted against David who reigned over Israel, he wished to drink, his men break through and waged war in the camp of the rebels, and brought unto him that water which he wished to drink. And when the righteous man saw that they had willingly delivered
themselves over to the slaughter for his sake, he poured out the water (2 Samuels 23: 13-17; 1Chron. 11: 18-19). And when the righteousness was accounted unto him
forever. And verily in like manner, have the martyrs rejected the desire of this world, and poured out their blood for God, and have endured bitter deaths for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Have compassion upon us according to the greatness of Thy compassion. We will magnify thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4. One of the Holy Trinity saw our law estate, bowed the heaven of heavens, came and dwelth in the womb of the Virgin, and became a man like unto us, with the exception of sin alone. And He was born in Bethlehem, according to what the Prophet preached, He delivered us, and redeemed us, and made us His own people for ever and ever. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
Scriptural Readings:
The Fifth Day
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father and the Son…
Opening Prayer
God our Almighty Father, who are the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the creator of the day and the night. We ask you in prayer to bless this new day for our daily task through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. Our Father…
Psalm 24: 1- end
24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 24:2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 24:6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek your face, O Jacob. Selah. 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 24:9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 25: 1 - 22
25:1 To thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 25:3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 25:4 Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 25:5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 25:6 Remember, O Lord, your tender mercies and your loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to your mercy remember me for your goodness' sake, O Lord. 25:8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 25:10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those that keep his covenant and his testimonies. 25:11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 25:12 What man is he that fears the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 25:13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. 25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 25:16 Turn thee to me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 25:19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 25:22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 26: 1 – 12
26:1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 26:3 For your loving-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in your truth. 26:4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 26:5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. 26:6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass your altar, O Lord: 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wondrous works. 26:8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house, and the place where your honour dwells. 26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 26:10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful to me. 26:12 My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Reading
1st Reading
Tobit 4:15-19
4:15 Do that to no man which thou hates: drink not wine to make thee drunken: neither let drunkenness go with thee in your journey. 4:16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your garments to them that are naked; and according to your abundance give alms: and let not your eye be envious, when you give alms. 4:17 Pour out your bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked. 4:18 Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable. 4:19 Bless the Lord your God always, and desire of him that your ways may be directed, and that all your paths and counsels may prosper: forevery nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself gives all good things, and he humbles whom he will, as he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, neither let them be put out of your mind. He who receives the prophet in the name of the prophet shall receive the prophet reward.
2nd Reading
2 Thessalonians 3: 10b – 13
3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 67: 1 – 2
67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. Halleluiah stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Matthew 7: 7 – 12
7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever you wish that men should do to you, do so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Heaven and earth…
Concluding Prayer,
Almighty, ever-living God, we ask, seek and knock in prayer your support, mercy and your Fatherly love. Grant us all our daily need this day and every day. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our Father
Day 5
Evening Prayer
In the name of the father and the son…
Opening Prayer
Lord God, true light, giver of light, source of light and Creator of light, grant that faithful pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of your presence. We make our morning prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son. Amen. Our Father…
Psalm 27: 1 – end
27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises to the Lord. 27:7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said to thee, Your face, Lord, will I seek. 27:9 Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 27:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 27:12 Deliver me not over to the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 28: 1 – end
28:1 To thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry to thee, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle. 28:3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. 28:4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. 28:5 Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. 28:6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him. 28:8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. 28:9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up forever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 29: 1 – end
29:1 Give to the Lord, O ye mighty, give to the Lord glory and strength. 29:2 Give to the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 29:3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thunders: the Lord is upon many waters. 29:4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 29:5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yea, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 29:6 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 29:7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. 29:8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 29:9 The voice of the Lord makes the hinds to calve, and discovers the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 29:10 The Lord sits upon the flood; yea, the Lord sits King forever. 29:11 The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Isaiah 33: 13 – 16
33:13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet shall receive the prophet reward.
2nd Reading
Colossians 1: 9 – 11
1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 18: 1 – 2
18:1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Halleluiah! Stand and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Mark 14: 32 – 42
14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he takes with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful to death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and finds them sleeping, and saith to Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrays me is at hand. He who receives the saint” by the name of the saint, shall receive the saint’s reward. Or Heaven and Earth…
Concluding Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world through your suffering: We ask you in our prayer to grant us your grace, and accept our prayer and work of this day, and give us the rest we need. Amen. Our Father…
The Synaxarium:
THE SEVENTH MONTH
MEGABIT 22
(March 31)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day our Lord Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem and went about it amid “Hosannas,” in order that what each of the prophets in his time had prophesied concerning Him might be fulfilled. Jacob said concerning Judah his son, who is likened unto our Lord Christ, “He shall bind His foal to the olive tree and his ass’s colt unto the branches of the vine” (Genesis xlix, II). And Zechariah also saith, “Fear thou not, O daughter of Zion, behold thy king cometh riding upon the foal of an ass” (Zachariah ix, 9). And Isaiah saith, “Thy king shall come, the righteous one, whose reward is with him (Isaiah lxii, II), and whose work is before his face; he cometh riding upon the foal of an ass.” And Abraham himself called this festival the “festival of the God [of] joy” when he went round the altar bearing young branches of the palm. And David said, “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou hast prepared praise” (Psalm viii, 2). And Solomon saith, “The tongues of children (or babes) ordain righteousness.” And he also saith, “And old men and children shall play in the streets of Jerusalem, and they all shall have their staves in their hands.” And one shall say, (Zechariah viii, 4, 5) “Make broad thy nails and drape thy tabernacles.” Now as to the conclusion of the matter; our Lord Jesus came to Jerusalem riding upon an ass, even as it is written in the Gospel. And He drew nigh to Jerusalem, opposite to Bethpage and Bethany, by the mountain which is called ‘Elyon. And He sent two of His disciples and said unto them, “Go ye into the city in front of you, and when ye come in ye shall find an ass tied whereon never man hath ridden; loose him and bring him hither. And if any shall say unto you, ‘Why are ye loosing him?’ say ye, ‘His Lord hath need of him.’” When those who were sent had gone there they found it [to be] even as He said unto them; and they loosed the ass. And whilst they were loosing the ass the owner thereof said unto them, “Why are ye loosing him?” And they said unto him, “His Lord hath need of him” (Matthew xxi, II, III). And they took the ass, and brought him to our Lord Jesus, and they spread their garments upon him, and they mounted our Lord upon him. And there were many who strewed branches of trees which they had cut off the trees, and many who strewed their apparel on the road on which He went, and those who followed Him cried out, saying, “Hosanna in the heights! Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord, and blessed is the kingdom which cometh in the Name of the Lord which our father David [prophesied]. Hosanna in the highest.” And our Lord Jesus went into the sanctuary, and everyone saw Him. And when the evening was come He went into Bethany with His twelve disciples. On the following day He went forth from Bethany, and He was a hungered. And he saw a fig tree afar off and there were leaves upon it, and He went to see if He could find any fruit on it. And having come to the tree He found on it nothing but leaves, for it was not the time of the year for figs, and He answered and said unto the fig tree, “Never shall any man eat fruit from thee”; and His disciples heard Him. And He came to Jerusalem and went into the sanctuary, and He began to drive out those who bought and those who sold in the temple, and He overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats (or, stands) of those who sold doves, and He stopped everyone from taking out goods connected with the temple. And He taught them and said unto them, “Is it not written that He said, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, and ye have made it a den of thieves’?” (Matthew xxi, 13). And John saith, “After He raised up Lazarus, on the following day, when the many people who had come to the feast, heard that our Lord Jesus Christ had come to Jerusalem, they took branches of trees and palm branches from Jerusalem and welcomed Him. And having gone forth they cried out and said, ‘Hosanna in the heights! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel.’ And our Lord Jesus found the ass, and He mounted him, even as it is written, ‘Fear not, O daughter of Zion, behold thy King cometh riding upon the foal of an ass.’ And His disciples did not know when our Lord Jesus Christ was praised that all this had been [ordained] of old, but they remembered [afterwards] that these words were written thus concerning Him, and that because of this the people had done as they did. And those people who were there with Him were witnesses that He had summoned Lazarus form the grave, and had raised him up from the dead. Therefore those people having heard that He had worked miracles, and especially the miracle of the raising of Lazarus, welcomed Him. And the Pharisees said among themselves, ‘Do ye now see that nothing whatsoever will avail? Behold, all the world followeth Him.’” Matthew and Mark do not (sic) mention the matter of the palm branches, but they say, “And others cut down branches from the trees and strewed them in the way.” And Luke mentioneth neither the branches of trees nor the palm branches, but he saith, “And as they went along they strewed their garments on the road.” It is John only who saith, “They took branches of palms from Jerusalem”; now there were no palm trees in Jerusalem. When our Lord was a child He went down into the land of Egypt with His mother, our Lady Saint Mary; and they found there palms. And our Lord commanded that some of their roots should be pulled up and planted on the Mount of Olives, and forthwith the roots of the palms flew through the air, and planted themselves there. From these palms the people took branches and welcomed our Lord Jesus Christ amid Hosannas, and thereupon envy seized the Jewish people and because of it they sought to kill our Lord Jesus Christ.
Salutation to the going up of Christ to Jerusalem, and to His entry therein.
And on this day also died the holy father and spiritual man Abba Cyril, Bishop of the city of Jerusalem. This holy father grew up under the teaching of the Church, and he was an exceedingly learned teacher. When Maximus, Bishop of Jerusalem, died, the people chose this father and appointed him to be his successor, and he shepherded his people well and carefully, and he protected them from the abominable and heretical wolves. And when the bishops were assembled in Council in Sedreke, this father came and disputed with the followers of Arius, and he defeated them. And he scattered them and drove them away, and he chased Acacius from his throne of the city of Caesarea. And Acacius went to Constantine the emperor, the son of Constantine the Great, and he complained to him about what had come upon him through the Council, and especially about what he had suffered from Cyril. And the emperor sent and exiled this Cyril from the city of Jerusalem, and he drove many bishops from their thrones. And this holy man went to the city of Tarsis, and he visited Sylvanus, bishop of that city, who helped him and made him stay a few days with him. And when the Council assembled in Lukaya, this father was one of those who were present thereat, and he cursed Akayyos (Achaeus). And Akayyos (Achaeus) also went to the emperor, and told him what had befallen him, and he made accusations against this holy father Abba Cyril to the emperor, who sent and again exiled him. When Constantine died, and his son Constantine reigned, he sent and brought back this father from exile to his throne, and he also brought back all those bishops whom his father had exiled. And this father lived for the remainder of his days in peace and quietness. When Theodosius the Great reigned, and a Council of One Hundred and Fifty Bishops were assembled in Constantinople, on account of Macedonius, and Sabellius, and Apollinarius, this father came and cursed all those who followed them. And he added to the prayer of the Faith which the Three Hundred and Eighteen Orthodox Fathers had drawn up from the place where it saith, “And we believe in the Holy Spirit” to the end thereof. And this father composed many Homilies and Exhortations, and he composed also a second book which contained eighteen Homilies on the translation of the prayer of the Faith (i.e. Creed), and this book is exceedingly profitable, and is full of all kinds of wisdom. And he sat on the Episcopal throne three and thirty years, and died in peace.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
Daily Readings and Prayers:
Week One, Day Five
The Fifth Day
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Great Lent, St. Deqsius, On this day our Lord Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem and went about it amid “Hosannas,” in order that what each of the prophets in his time had prophesied concerning Him might be fulfilled, And on this day also died the holy father and spiritual man Abba Cyril, Bishop of the city of Jerusalem,
Daily Hymn of Praise to Mariam:
Hymn of Praise of the Virgin Mariam)
(E) Fifth Day of The Week - Thursday
1. The Bush which Moses saw in flaming fire in the desert,
the wood of which was not consumed, is a similitude of Mariam, the Virgin who was spotless. The word of the Father became incarnate of her, and the fire of His God- head did not consume the Virgin, and after she had brought Him forth, her virginity was maintained, and His God-head was unchanged. Our God, Who verily id God, became a man; He came and delivered us.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
2. We all magnify Thee, O our Lady, the God-bearer, that Thy compassion may be over us all. The Virgin Mariam, the God-bearer, hath became the object of the boast of us all, because through her was destroyed the curse of olden time, which rested upon our race, through her wickedness which the woman committed (when) she ate (of the tree),
Through Eve was the door of the garden shut fast, and because of Mariam the Virgin it has been opened to us again. It is allotted to us to eat of the tree of life, that is to say, the body of Kristos and his precious blood. Because of His love for us He came and delivered us. What understanding and what language, and what hearing is able to comprehend this mystery, which must be proclaimed to be wonderful, "God is the Lover of men"? One is He alone, The word of the Father, who existed before the world in His
incorruptible Godhead, from One, the Father. The Only begotton Son came and was incarnate of the Holy woman, His mother, and after she brought Him forth, her virginity perished not, and because of this, it became manifest that she was the Bearer of God.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
3. O deep is the richness of the wisdom of God ! The womb which He decreed should bring forth children in pain, and suffering and sorrow of heart, has become the fountain of life, and has brought forth without seed of man Him Who removed the curse from our race. Ans for this reason we will praise Him saying "Glory be to Thee, O Thou Good Friend of man, the Redeemer of our souls." We will magnify Thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
O how wonderful and might in power was the womb of the Virgin, which brought forth God without seed ! And for this the Angel who appeared unto Joseph was a witness when he spoke, saying "That which shall be born of her is of Holy Spirit" (Matt. 1:20). It was the Word of God Who became incarnate without change.
Mariam brought Him forth a second time, and Gabriel rejoiced and said unto her, "thou shall bring forth a Son and shall call His name Emmanuel, which is being interpreted, God with us. And moreover, He shall be called Eeyesus, Who shall save His people from their sins." Matt 1: 20-24
And may He save us also by His power, and forgive our sins because we have known in truth that He is the God Who became man. Praise be unto Him for ever and ever.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
O how wonderful is the birth of God by Mariam, the Holy Virgin ! She completed the Word of the Father; seed did not precede His birth, and her virginity was not destroyed by His birth. The Word went forth from the Father without weariness and was born of the Virgin without the suffering (or pain). The wise men woshiped Him, and brought unto Him incense became He was Holy, and gold because He was the King, and myrrh, which was given for His death which gave life (unto men). And for our sakes He accepted (death) of His own free will. He alone is the Good Being and Lover of men. We will magnify Thee.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4. O how wonderful ! He took a rib from the side of Adam, and fashioned from it a woman, and the whole creation of the children of men was given to God, the Word of the Father, Who was incarnate of the Holy Virgin, and is called Emmanuel. And because of this we beseech her at all times to strive on our behalf with her beloved Son for thr forgiveness of our sins. She was beneficent towards all the saints and the high priests, for she brought to the Prophets Him concerning Whom they had prophesied, and she brought forth to the Apostles Him in Whose Name they were to preach in all the ends of the world, and from her went forth for the martyrs and believers, Him for Whom they were to fight, Eeyesus Kristos.
The richness of the grace of His wisdom cannot be fathomed. We will seek after the greatness of His compassion, for He came and delivered us. We will magnify Thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
5. God swore unto David in rightousness, and He will not repent, "Of the fruit of the belly, I will seat upon Thy throne". (II Samuel 7:12; Psalm 132:11). And when that rightous man received it from Him, that Kristos should be born in the flesh, he wished to seek out and to prepare a dwelling place for God, the Word of the Father.And He completed it with great effort and then He cried out in the Holy Spirit and said, "Behold, we have heard it in Efrata and the dwelling-place of the God of Jacob, which in Bethlehem, in which Emmanuel has chosen to be born in the flesh for our salvation" (compare Psalm
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
6. And also another of the Prophets had said it; "And as for thee,O Bethlehem of the land of Efrata, thou shalt not be the least of the Kings of Judah, for from thee shall go forth a King Who shall rule my people Israel" (Micah 5: 2).
O how wonderful is the word of those who prophesied concerning Christ in one Spirit, to Whom be glory, together with the Good Father and the Holy Spirit, from now and forever, We will magnify thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM
When evil men revolted against David who reigned over Israel, he wished to drink, his men break through and waged war in the camp of the rebels, and brought unto him that water which he wished to drink. And when the righteous man saw that they had willingly delivered
themselves over to the slaughter for his sake, he poured out the water (2 Samuels 23: 13-17; 1Chron. 11: 18-19). And when the righteousness was accounted unto him
forever. And verily in like manner, have the martyrs rejected the desire of this world, and poured out their blood for God, and have endured bitter deaths for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Have compassion upon us according to the greatness of Thy compassion. We will magnify thee. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4. One of the Holy Trinity saw our law estate, bowed the heaven of heavens, came and dwelth in the womb of the Virgin, and became a man like unto us, with the exception of sin alone. And He was born in Bethlehem, according to what the Prophet preached, He delivered us, and redeemed us, and made us His own people for ever and ever. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
Scriptural Readings:
The Fifth Day
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father and the Son…
Opening Prayer
God our Almighty Father, who are the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the creator of the day and the night. We ask you in prayer to bless this new day for our daily task through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. Our Father…
Psalm 24: 1- end
24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 24:2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 24:6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek your face, O Jacob. Selah. 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 24:9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 25: 1 - 22
25:1 To thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 25:3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 25:4 Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 25:5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 25:6 Remember, O Lord, your tender mercies and your loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to your mercy remember me for your goodness' sake, O Lord. 25:8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 25:10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those that keep his covenant and his testimonies. 25:11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 25:12 What man is he that fears the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 25:13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. 25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 25:16 Turn thee to me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 25:19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 25:22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 26: 1 – 12
26:1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 26:3 For your loving-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in your truth. 26:4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 26:5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. 26:6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass your altar, O Lord: 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wondrous works. 26:8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house, and the place where your honour dwells. 26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 26:10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful to me. 26:12 My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Reading
1st Reading
Tobit 4:15-19
4:15 Do that to no man which thou hates: drink not wine to make thee drunken: neither let drunkenness go with thee in your journey. 4:16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your garments to them that are naked; and according to your abundance give alms: and let not your eye be envious, when you give alms. 4:17 Pour out your bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked. 4:18 Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable. 4:19 Bless the Lord your God always, and desire of him that your ways may be directed, and that all your paths and counsels may prosper: forevery nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself gives all good things, and he humbles whom he will, as he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, neither let them be put out of your mind. He who receives the prophet in the name of the prophet shall receive the prophet reward.
2nd Reading
2 Thessalonians 3: 10b – 13
3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 67: 1 – 2
67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. Halleluiah stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Matthew 7: 7 – 12
7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever you wish that men should do to you, do so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Heaven and earth…
Concluding Prayer,
Almighty, ever-living God, we ask, seek and knock in prayer your support, mercy and your Fatherly love. Grant us all our daily need this day and every day. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our Father
Day 5
Evening Prayer
In the name of the father and the son…
Opening Prayer
Lord God, true light, giver of light, source of light and Creator of light, grant that faithful pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of your presence. We make our morning prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son. Amen. Our Father…
Psalm 27: 1 – end
27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises to the Lord. 27:7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said to thee, Your face, Lord, will I seek. 27:9 Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 27:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 27:12 Deliver me not over to the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 28: 1 – end
28:1 To thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry to thee, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle. 28:3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. 28:4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. 28:5 Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. 28:6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him. 28:8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. 28:9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up forever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 29: 1 – end
29:1 Give to the Lord, O ye mighty, give to the Lord glory and strength. 29:2 Give to the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 29:3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thunders: the Lord is upon many waters. 29:4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 29:5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yea, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 29:6 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 29:7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. 29:8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 29:9 The voice of the Lord makes the hinds to calve, and discovers the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 29:10 The Lord sits upon the flood; yea, the Lord sits King forever. 29:11 The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Isaiah 33: 13 – 16
33:13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet shall receive the prophet reward.
2nd Reading
Colossians 1: 9 – 11
1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 18: 1 – 2
18:1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Halleluiah! Stand and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Mark 14: 32 – 42
14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he takes with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful to death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and finds them sleeping, and saith to Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrays me is at hand. He who receives the saint” by the name of the saint, shall receive the saint’s reward. Or Heaven and Earth…
Concluding Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world through your suffering: We ask you in our prayer to grant us your grace, and accept our prayer and work of this day, and give us the rest we need. Amen. Our Father…
The Synaxarium:
THE SEVENTH MONTH
MEGABIT 22
(March 31)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day our Lord Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem and went about it amid “Hosannas,” in order that what each of the prophets in his time had prophesied concerning Him might be fulfilled. Jacob said concerning Judah his son, who is likened unto our Lord Christ, “He shall bind His foal to the olive tree and his ass’s colt unto the branches of the vine” (Genesis xlix, II). And Zechariah also saith, “Fear thou not, O daughter of Zion, behold thy king cometh riding upon the foal of an ass” (Zachariah ix, 9). And Isaiah saith, “Thy king shall come, the righteous one, whose reward is with him (Isaiah lxii, II), and whose work is before his face; he cometh riding upon the foal of an ass.” And Abraham himself called this festival the “festival of the God [of] joy” when he went round the altar bearing young branches of the palm. And David said, “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou hast prepared praise” (Psalm viii, 2). And Solomon saith, “The tongues of children (or babes) ordain righteousness.” And he also saith, “And old men and children shall play in the streets of Jerusalem, and they all shall have their staves in their hands.” And one shall say, (Zechariah viii, 4, 5) “Make broad thy nails and drape thy tabernacles.” Now as to the conclusion of the matter; our Lord Jesus came to Jerusalem riding upon an ass, even as it is written in the Gospel. And He drew nigh to Jerusalem, opposite to Bethpage and Bethany, by the mountain which is called ‘Elyon. And He sent two of His disciples and said unto them, “Go ye into the city in front of you, and when ye come in ye shall find an ass tied whereon never man hath ridden; loose him and bring him hither. And if any shall say unto you, ‘Why are ye loosing him?’ say ye, ‘His Lord hath need of him.’” When those who were sent had gone there they found it [to be] even as He said unto them; and they loosed the ass. And whilst they were loosing the ass the owner thereof said unto them, “Why are ye loosing him?” And they said unto him, “His Lord hath need of him” (Matthew xxi, II, III). And they took the ass, and brought him to our Lord Jesus, and they spread their garments upon him, and they mounted our Lord upon him. And there were many who strewed branches of trees which they had cut off the trees, and many who strewed their apparel on the road on which He went, and those who followed Him cried out, saying, “Hosanna in the heights! Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord, and blessed is the kingdom which cometh in the Name of the Lord which our father David [prophesied]. Hosanna in the highest.” And our Lord Jesus went into the sanctuary, and everyone saw Him. And when the evening was come He went into Bethany with His twelve disciples. On the following day He went forth from Bethany, and He was a hungered. And he saw a fig tree afar off and there were leaves upon it, and He went to see if He could find any fruit on it. And having come to the tree He found on it nothing but leaves, for it was not the time of the year for figs, and He answered and said unto the fig tree, “Never shall any man eat fruit from thee”; and His disciples heard Him. And He came to Jerusalem and went into the sanctuary, and He began to drive out those who bought and those who sold in the temple, and He overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats (or, stands) of those who sold doves, and He stopped everyone from taking out goods connected with the temple. And He taught them and said unto them, “Is it not written that He said, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, and ye have made it a den of thieves’?” (Matthew xxi, 13). And John saith, “After He raised up Lazarus, on the following day, when the many people who had come to the feast, heard that our Lord Jesus Christ had come to Jerusalem, they took branches of trees and palm branches from Jerusalem and welcomed Him. And having gone forth they cried out and said, ‘Hosanna in the heights! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel.’ And our Lord Jesus found the ass, and He mounted him, even as it is written, ‘Fear not, O daughter of Zion, behold thy King cometh riding upon the foal of an ass.’ And His disciples did not know when our Lord Jesus Christ was praised that all this had been [ordained] of old, but they remembered [afterwards] that these words were written thus concerning Him, and that because of this the people had done as they did. And those people who were there with Him were witnesses that He had summoned Lazarus form the grave, and had raised him up from the dead. Therefore those people having heard that He had worked miracles, and especially the miracle of the raising of Lazarus, welcomed Him. And the Pharisees said among themselves, ‘Do ye now see that nothing whatsoever will avail? Behold, all the world followeth Him.’” Matthew and Mark do not (sic) mention the matter of the palm branches, but they say, “And others cut down branches from the trees and strewed them in the way.” And Luke mentioneth neither the branches of trees nor the palm branches, but he saith, “And as they went along they strewed their garments on the road.” It is John only who saith, “They took branches of palms from Jerusalem”; now there were no palm trees in Jerusalem. When our Lord was a child He went down into the land of Egypt with His mother, our Lady Saint Mary; and they found there palms. And our Lord commanded that some of their roots should be pulled up and planted on the Mount of Olives, and forthwith the roots of the palms flew through the air, and planted themselves there. From these palms the people took branches and welcomed our Lord Jesus Christ amid Hosannas, and thereupon envy seized the Jewish people and because of it they sought to kill our Lord Jesus Christ.
Salutation to the going up of Christ to Jerusalem, and to His entry therein.
And on this day also died the holy father and spiritual man Abba Cyril, Bishop of the city of Jerusalem. This holy father grew up under the teaching of the Church, and he was an exceedingly learned teacher. When Maximus, Bishop of Jerusalem, died, the people chose this father and appointed him to be his successor, and he shepherded his people well and carefully, and he protected them from the abominable and heretical wolves. And when the bishops were assembled in Council in Sedreke, this father came and disputed with the followers of Arius, and he defeated them. And he scattered them and drove them away, and he chased Acacius from his throne of the city of Caesarea. And Acacius went to Constantine the emperor, the son of Constantine the Great, and he complained to him about what had come upon him through the Council, and especially about what he had suffered from Cyril. And the emperor sent and exiled this Cyril from the city of Jerusalem, and he drove many bishops from their thrones. And this holy man went to the city of Tarsis, and he visited Sylvanus, bishop of that city, who helped him and made him stay a few days with him. And when the Council assembled in Lukaya, this father was one of those who were present thereat, and he cursed Akayyos (Achaeus). And Akayyos (Achaeus) also went to the emperor, and told him what had befallen him, and he made accusations against this holy father Abba Cyril to the emperor, who sent and again exiled him. When Constantine died, and his son Constantine reigned, he sent and brought back this father from exile to his throne, and he also brought back all those bishops whom his father had exiled. And this father lived for the remainder of his days in peace and quietness. When Theodosius the Great reigned, and a Council of One Hundred and Fifty Bishops were assembled in Constantinople, on account of Macedonius, and Sabellius, and Apollinarius, this father came and cursed all those who followed them. And he added to the prayer of the Faith which the Three Hundred and Eighteen Orthodox Fathers had drawn up from the place where it saith, “And we believe in the Holy Spirit” to the end thereof. And this father composed many Homilies and Exhortations, and he composed also a second book which contained eighteen Homilies on the translation of the prayer of the Faith (i.e. Creed), and this book is exceedingly profitable, and is full of all kinds of wisdom. And he sat on the Episcopal throne three and thirty years, and died in peace.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment