From ethiopianorthodoxchurch.info, kidusmarkos.org, ethiopianorthodoxtewahedo.org, ninesaintsethiopianorthodoxmonastery.org:
Daily Readings and Prayers:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: The Holy Lenten Feast, Medhanialem (Savior of the World), On this day died the holy father Abba Eustathius, Archbishop of the city of Antioch
The First Sunday within the Holy Lenten Fast
"Abye Tsome"
Yekatit 27 - March 06
Spiritual Reflection on the First Sunday of Lent
Starting with the Psalm verse appointed to introduce the Gospel lesson for this 1st Sunday of the Lenten Fast, let us notice how well they are matched. These are very well suited, reinforcing the fact that our first priority is for us to see himself or herself as repentant sinner. Even though all of our sins are Baptized into Christ, though not yet perfected unto the full measure of His stature, as the pioneer an perfecter of our faith. Trying to more consistently follow Christ Jesus through the course of the Great Lenten Fast, should progressively clarify our understanding of life's priorities. The gist of the central mysteries of our faith should appear more in our personal world view. Our God is the Lord, Who, through His people who have raised us in the faith, sought to reveal Himself personally unto each of us.
We know Him as one God, ever existing in Three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All other attributions of power, by other nations, that fail to call on Him Who IS, are demons that we should disdain and despise. That is not a license to disdain other people. Instead, this season is a time of duty to do for others as we would have them do to us, while avoiding hypocrisy by keeping any self-denial as an intimate secret. This secrecy is an important qualification of Lenten efforts, to allow God's grace room to grow in our lives. Our prime objective is to evoke praise for Him. As we show His love to others, rather than our austerity, all who behold the fruits of our cooperation with His grace will thank Him. In all things rather than seeking human respect, we should strive to dispel all darkness, to be thoroughly illumined, laying up treasures in heaven, rather than serving any idolatrous fantasies or seeking consumable creature comforts.
The Commemoration of Saint Abba Eustathius
Archbishop of the See of Antioch in Syria
One of the Fathers of the Great Council of Nicea
SUNDAY
Yekatit 27 - March 06
On the Twenty-seventh day of Yekatit (Ethiopian calendar), March Sixth (Western calendar) the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church commemorates the holy Archbishop of Antioch, Saint Abba Eustathius, who fell asleep in The Lord, on this date in 330 A.D.
St. Abba Eustathius became Archbishop of the great ancient City of Antioch during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine (the Great). He was one of the Fathers who attended the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea and denounced the false teachings of Arius and all those who followed his heretical teaching concern God the Word - The Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Ecumenical Council held at Nicea ended, St. Abba Eustathius returned to his Pastoral care in Antioch. Those who were excommunicated by the Ecumenical Council of the Fathers came to Antioch. There, they persuade a local prostitute with money and other worldly things to accuse St. Abba Eustathius of fathering a child with her. The heretics stirred up the people against St. Abba Eustathius and even persuaded the harlot to swear on the Holy Scripture to this false thing. A Church hearing was held and based on the false evidence of this prostitute swearing on the Sacred Scriptures, they judged Abba Eustathius guilty and removed him from his Office as Bishop. The Church authorities then informed the Emperor Constantine of their decision and he banished the innocent St. Abba Eustathius in exile in Thrace were he remained until his death.
However, the Lord God, Who is TRUTH, and Who loves His faithful servants, revealed the truth. The prostitute who gave the false testimony became ill with a devastating sickness and suffered great pain. She realized that her suffering was a punishment for her false accusations against the Saint. She came and confessed before the people of the City of Antioch that the charges she had brought against St. Abba Eustathius were false. She told of those who bribed her with money and other world possessions and declared over and over that Abba Eustathius was innocent and that the child was born to another man not the Saint.
Saint John Chrysostom, one of the Greatest Orthodox Fathers, eulogized and praised the memory of St. Abba Eustathius for his patience in bearing false accusations - his Christ like life. For all those who have been false accused and condemned, may Saint Abba Eustathius intercede to the Lord on their behalf and may his memory be eternal!
The Feast of Saint Theodoros
Soldier of Rome - Martyr for Christ
The Weddasse Mariam (Hymn to Mariam [Mary]):
WEDDASSE MARIAM
(Hymn of Praise of the Virgin Mariam)
(A) First Day of The Week - Sunday
1. Thou was named “Beloved Woman”, O Blessed among
woman. You are the chamber, in that you were called
“Holiest of Holies” and in it were the Ten Words which were
written by the fingers of God. He (i.e. the Father) made
known this to us first of all by “Yawta” (i.e. Iota), which is the
first letter of the Name of our Redeemer Eeyesus Kristos,
who became incarnate of thee without change, and became
the Mediator of the New Covenant and by the Shedding of
His Holy Blood, He purified the believers and the people who
were pure. And because of this we all magnify thee,
O Our Lady Thou ever pure God-bearer.
We beseech thee and lift our eyes to thee, so that we may
find mercy and compassion with the lover of men.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
2. You are the Tabot (i.e. Tabernacle, or Ark) which was
covered on all sides with gold, and was made of the wood
that never perisheth, and came man without separation and
change, the pure and undefiled Deity, the equal of the Father To thee, as the pure woman, (Gabriel) announces Him
without seed. And He became like unto us through the
might of His wisdom; He who was incarnate of thee and
He who was spotless mingled His Divinity (without nature).
And because of this . . .
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
3. Your sanctuary which the Cherubim who are fashioned in
the likeness of God surround - the Word, Who was incarnate
of thee, O pure woman, without change has become the
forgiver of our sins and the destroyer of our transgressions.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4.You are the Holy golden pot wherein the manna is hidden,
the bread which came down from heaven, the giver of life
unto all the world. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
5. You are the golden candlestick and does hold the brilliant
Light at all times, the Light which is the Light of the world,
the Light of Lights which had no beginning, verily God of
God, who became incarnate of thee without change. And by
His coming He shed light upon us, upon those of us who
were sitting in the shadow of darkness of death, and He set
our feet upon the path of peace through the Mystery of His
Holy Wisdom.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
6. You are the censer of gold because you did carry the
coals of the blessed fire which He took from the sanctuary -
He who forgiveth sin and destroyeth wickedness. He Who
is the Word of God. Who became incarnate of thee, and
Who offered up to His Father incense and precious offerings. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
7. You are the garden of delight, the garden of Joy, which
is planted with the trees of Lebanon, and was prepared for
the saints before the world was created. On a great
chariot, which was granted by Cherubim and Seraphim
visited her from heaven, and said unto her in the sanctuary,
“Blessed are thou amongst women. The Holy Spirit shall
come upon thee, for He who dwelleth above the Cherubim
shall become the Light for all the world”. You are the
sweet-scented flower which had sprung from the root of
Jesse. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
8. You are unto the rod of Aaron, which, without being
planted in the ground and without watering, burst into
blossom. In like manner thou, O Bearer of Christ, did bring
forth Christ our God in truth, without seed. He came and
delivered us. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
9. It is meat for thee, O thou who are full of grace, more
than all for all the saints to pray on our behalf. Thou are
greater than the high priests, and thou are more honorable
than the Prophets; in thee there is majesty of appearance
which is greater than the majesty of the Seraphim and
Cherubim. Verily you are the glory of our race, and you are
she who must beg for life for our souls. Pray thou then on
our behalf to our Lord and Redeemer Eeyesus Kristos that
He may confirm us in the Right Faith, that is to say, faith in
Him, and that He may graciously bestow upon us His
mercy and compassion, and may in His abundant mercy
forgive us our sins forever and forever. Amen.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
Week One, Day One
The First Day
All together: The Lord’s Prayer. Our Father who art in heaven …
OUR LADY’S PRAYER
O my lady, Mary, I salute you with the salutation of Saint Gabriel the angel and say peace be with you. You are virgin in your spirit and virgin in your body. O mother of God of Sabath, peace be with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb our Lord Jesus Christ. O full of grace; rejoice, for the Lord is with you. Intercede and pray for us mercy to your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to forgive our sins. Now and forever. Amen.
(Note: when morning and evening prayer take place in the church or in any place of worship, let all stand up and pray the opening prayer and the psalms. But they may sit down during the reading from the old and new Testaments. Then in the morning, they shall pray part 2 of the Morning Prayer of the Covenant and in the evening prayer, part 3 of the Evening Prayer of the Covenant. And our Father…)
Then, all shall say: O Holy Trinity, pity us, O Holy Trinity, spare us, O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The prayer of the holy gospel
Deacon: stand up for prayer.
People: Lord have mercy upon us
Priest: Peace be to you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Prayer of the Gospel
Priest: O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who didst say...
Deacon: Pray for the Holy gospel.
People: May he make us meet to hear the holy gospel.
Priest: Remember again, Lord, those that have bidden us....
Deacon: shall read or chant the psalm before the gospel.
Priest: shall read the Gospel. Then concluding prayer....
Command: from the prayer of the Covenant to the concluding prayer, all must stand up.
The First Day
Day 1
Morning Prayer
Opening Prayer.
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. (By blessing one’s face with the sign of the Cross), then one minute’s reflection in silence.
Opening Prayer.
Jesus our Lord and our Master, who so love the world which was created by you and you gave yourself up to death on the Cross for our sake. We humbly ask you to strengthen us by your grace and give us a heart willing to live by that same love, and hear this our morning prayer in your mercy. Amen. Our father. O my Lady Mary I salute you with the....
Psalm 1: 1 – 6
1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (This doxology is said after each psalm, apostle and the prophets, when they are used as prayers. Short pause.)
Psalm 2: 1 – 12
2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 2:4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 2:5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 2:7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said to me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 3: 1 – 8
3:1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3:3 But you, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 3:4 I cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 3:7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for you have smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; you have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 3:8 Salvation belongs to the Lord: your blessing is upon your people. Selah. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning...
Psalm 4: 1 – 8
4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. 4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. 4:3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call to him. 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. 4:6 There are many who say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us. 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for you, Lord, only make me dwell in safety. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 5: 1 – 12
5:1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. 5:2 Hearken to the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for to thee will I pray. 5:3 My voice shall you hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer to thee, and will look up. 5:4 For you art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in your sight: you hate all workers of iniquity. 5:6 You shall destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. 5:7 But as for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy: and in your fear will I worship toward your holy temple. 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of mine enemies; make your way straight before my face. 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. 5:10 Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them: let them also that love your name be joyful in thee. 5:12 For you, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour you compass him as with a shield. 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 25: 1 – 5
O Lord, you art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise your name; for You has done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. For You have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin, the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt. Therefore strong peoples will glorify Thee; cities of ruthless nations will fear Thee. For You have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the blast of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, like heat in a dry place. Thou dost subdue the noise of the aliens; as heat by the shade of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is stilled. He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s reward. Amen. (This doxology is said after each reading of the Old Testament.)
2nd Reading
Acts of the Apostles 22: 12 – 16
A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there, came to me; and standing beside me, he said, “Brother Saul, regain your sight” in that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the righteous One and to hear his own voice; for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized and have your sins washed away, calling on his name. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen (This Doxology is said after the reading of from the apostle’s books. But not during the Holy Communion service. )
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 61: 1 – 2
61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Halleluiah, sand up and hearken to the holy gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (People shall stand up when the holy Gospel is reading.)
(If the priest is present during the morning and evening prayer.)
Priest shall say: The Lord be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: The holy gospel which John preached, the word of the Son of God, or The holy gospel which Matthew, Mark or Luke proclaimed.
People: Glory be to thee, Christ my Lord and my God at all times...end. Or alternative.
Priest: the holy gospel according to St Matthew, Luke, Mark or John.
4th Reading:
The Gospel of St. Matthew 6: 5 – 6
And when you pray you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you they have received their reward. But when you pray go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Priest: heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away, said the Lord to his disciples. Or alternative
Priest: this is the word of the Lord
People: thanks be to the Lord.
Concluding Prayer
Almighty, ever-living God, we humbly ask you to grant us your grace, so like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of ‘God, we may put ourselves at the service of others that are in need of our help today, tomorrow and always. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our father. O my Lady Mary I salute you with the....
Day 1
Evening Prayer
In the name of the Father and……..
Opening Prayer
Almighty, ever-living God, we humbly ask you to grant us your grace, so like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of ‘God, we may put ourselves at the service of others that are in need of our help today, tomorrow and always. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father. O my Lady Mary I salute you with the....
Psalm 6: 1 – 10
6:1 O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure. 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but you, O Lord, how long? 6:4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for your mercies' sake. 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. 6:7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxes old because of all mine enemies. 6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 6:9 The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. 6:10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As
it was in the beginning….
Psalm 7: 1 – 17
7:1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 7:2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 7:3 O Lord my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 7:4 If I have rewarded evil to him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 7:6 Arise, O Lord, in your anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded. 7:7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return you on high. 7:8 The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tries the hearts and reins. 7:10 My defence is of God, which saves the upright in heart. 7:11 God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 7:12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 7:13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordains his arrows against the persecutors. 7:14 Behold, he travails with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 7:15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 7:16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 7:17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…….
Psalm 8: 1 – 9
8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! Who have set your glory above the heavens. 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have you ordained strength because of your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger. 8:3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; 8:4 What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him? 8:5 For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honour. 8:6 You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet: 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas. 8:9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! 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 44: 21 – 24
Remember this thing, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you, you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s reward.
2nd Reading
Romans 1: 8 – 15
First, I thank you my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers. Asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you. Or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know; brothers and sisters that I have often intended to come to you but thus far have been prevented, in order that I reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle, shall receive the Apostle’s reward.
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 67: 1 – 3
67:1May God be gracious to us and us and make his face his face shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nation. Let the peoples praise Thee. O God; let all the peoples praise thee.
Halleluiah, stand up and hearken to the holy gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (People shall stand up when the gospel is being read.)
If the priest is present during the morning and evening prayer.
Priest : The Lord be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: The holy gospel which John preached, the word of the Son of God, or The holy gospel which Matthew, Mark or Luke proclaimed.
People: Glory be to thee, Christ my Lord and my God at all times...end.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Matthew 5: 14 – 16
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot he hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away, said the Lord to his disciples. Or Alternative he who receives…
Priest: This is the word of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: Thanks: be to our Lord Jesus Christ, or
People: We believe in the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Concluding Prayer
Lord God, the creator of our entire being, hear our prayer and humble request; inspire us with good intention help us to fulfil them. We make this our Evening Prayer and supplications through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Synaxarium:
THE SIXTH MONTH
YEKATIT 27
(March 06)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day died the holy father Abba Eustathius, Archbishop of the city of Antioch. This saint lived in the days of the Emperor Constantine the Great, and the whole world was filled completely with his divine teaching. And when the Council of the Saints assembled in the city of Nicea, this father was one of the presidents of the Council, and he agreed with the fathers, and they excommunicated and drove out Arius and his companions, who were ‘Awsabius of ‘Amid, and Nar’Isos, Bishop of the city of Nicea. And he proclaimed by the Holy Spirit the True Faith which the holy fathers of the Council proclaimed, and he drew up with them the Canon and the Law, which are written in the churches and are well known among all Christian peoples; and afterwards, the Council of the saints drew up the Law of the Church in their own countries. And the infidels who had been cut off from their Episcopal offices went forth, and after a few days they pretended that they wished to depart to Jerusalem. And they came into the city of Antioch and they gathered together in the house of a certain woman who was a harlot, and having promised to give her much money, they taught her to go into the church, and to speak lies against this saint. And she said unto the priests and the people, “This father hath committed fornication with me, and [this] is the boy, which I bare him, and he is his son.” And she took the money from them, and did as they had taught her. And those wicked men in their craftiness made a pact with that woman and accused her of speaking lies against the saint, and they debated with her, and said unto her, “Thou art a liar, and dost speak lies against this saint, and we will neither believe thee, nor accept thy word against him, unless thou takest an oath by the Holy Gospel that it is this saint who committed fornication with thee; if thou dost not swear we will not believe thee.” And the woman swore by the Holy Gospel, according as those wicked men had taught her. And thereupon those wicked men said, “Now that thou hast sworn an oath, the whole matter is complete.” And after this those wicked men passed judgment upon this saint, and they cut him off from his Episcopal office, and then they sent a letter to the Emperor Constantine, and they calumniated the saint to him, and said unto him, “Behold, the united priesthood have assembled against him, and they have cut him off from his office, because of the fornication which he committed; do what thou pleasest to him.” And Constantine thought that what they said was true, and he sent and banished this saint to the city of ‘Etrakes, and he died there in exile. Woe be unto the souls of those men who of their evil disposition separated the Son of God from His Godhead, and drove out this saint from his office, by means of the evil pretext which their teacher Satan had taught them. And they became associates of a harlot, and they entreated her so well that at length she uttered lies against the holy man, [saying] that he had committed fornication with her, and they made her swear [this] on the Holy Gospel. But God was not ignorant about her or them, for after they had driven the holy man into exile the woman fell sick of a severe sickness, which lasted a long time. And at length her body withered, and fell into utter decay; and she knew that the severe sickness which caused her tribulation had come because of the lies which she had uttered against the saint; and she drew nigh to death. And when her sickness increased she confessed before all the men of the city of Antioch, and said unto them, “Saint Eustathius is innocent of this charge. These wicked men gave me much money, and taught me to utter lies against him, and I swore an oath falsely on the Holy Gospel. The sin to which I swore I committed with another man whose name was Eustathius, like that of the saint, and those men taught me to swear the oath, and when I did so I thought in my heart of that Eustathius with whom I had committed fornication, though I uttered the name of this saint freely with my mouth.” And when she had confessed her sin before all the people of the city of Antioch, they were exceedingly sad. And at the time of the Eucharist, the priests of the city of Antioch omitted to mention the name of this saint, and when they had heard the confession of this woman, they mentioned the name of this saint at the time of the Eucharist. And Saint John, the Mouth of Gold (i.e. Chrysostom), praised this saint in many Homilies and writings which he pronounced on him on the day of his festival. Salutation to Eustathius.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
Daily Readings and Prayers:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: The Holy Lenten Feast, Medhanialem (Savior of the World), On this day died the holy father Abba Eustathius, Archbishop of the city of Antioch
The First Sunday within the Holy Lenten Fast
"Abye Tsome"
Yekatit 27 - March 06
Spiritual Reflection on the First Sunday of Lent
Starting with the Psalm verse appointed to introduce the Gospel lesson for this 1st Sunday of the Lenten Fast, let us notice how well they are matched. These are very well suited, reinforcing the fact that our first priority is for us to see himself or herself as repentant sinner. Even though all of our sins are Baptized into Christ, though not yet perfected unto the full measure of His stature, as the pioneer an perfecter of our faith. Trying to more consistently follow Christ Jesus through the course of the Great Lenten Fast, should progressively clarify our understanding of life's priorities. The gist of the central mysteries of our faith should appear more in our personal world view. Our God is the Lord, Who, through His people who have raised us in the faith, sought to reveal Himself personally unto each of us.
We know Him as one God, ever existing in Three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All other attributions of power, by other nations, that fail to call on Him Who IS, are demons that we should disdain and despise. That is not a license to disdain other people. Instead, this season is a time of duty to do for others as we would have them do to us, while avoiding hypocrisy by keeping any self-denial as an intimate secret. This secrecy is an important qualification of Lenten efforts, to allow God's grace room to grow in our lives. Our prime objective is to evoke praise for Him. As we show His love to others, rather than our austerity, all who behold the fruits of our cooperation with His grace will thank Him. In all things rather than seeking human respect, we should strive to dispel all darkness, to be thoroughly illumined, laying up treasures in heaven, rather than serving any idolatrous fantasies or seeking consumable creature comforts.
The Commemoration of Saint Abba Eustathius
Archbishop of the See of Antioch in Syria
One of the Fathers of the Great Council of Nicea
SUNDAY
Yekatit 27 - March 06
On the Twenty-seventh day of Yekatit (Ethiopian calendar), March Sixth (Western calendar) the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church commemorates the holy Archbishop of Antioch, Saint Abba Eustathius, who fell asleep in The Lord, on this date in 330 A.D.St. Abba Eustathius became Archbishop of the great ancient City of Antioch during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine (the Great). He was one of the Fathers who attended the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea and denounced the false teachings of Arius and all those who followed his heretical teaching concern God the Word - The Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Ecumenical Council held at Nicea ended, St. Abba Eustathius returned to his Pastoral care in Antioch. Those who were excommunicated by the Ecumenical Council of the Fathers came to Antioch. There, they persuade a local prostitute with money and other worldly things to accuse St. Abba Eustathius of fathering a child with her. The heretics stirred up the people against St. Abba Eustathius and even persuaded the harlot to swear on the Holy Scripture to this false thing. A Church hearing was held and based on the false evidence of this prostitute swearing on the Sacred Scriptures, they judged Abba Eustathius guilty and removed him from his Office as Bishop. The Church authorities then informed the Emperor Constantine of their decision and he banished the innocent St. Abba Eustathius in exile in Thrace were he remained until his death.
However, the Lord God, Who is TRUTH, and Who loves His faithful servants, revealed the truth. The prostitute who gave the false testimony became ill with a devastating sickness and suffered great pain. She realized that her suffering was a punishment for her false accusations against the Saint. She came and confessed before the people of the City of Antioch that the charges she had brought against St. Abba Eustathius were false. She told of those who bribed her with money and other world possessions and declared over and over that Abba Eustathius was innocent and that the child was born to another man not the Saint.
Saint John Chrysostom, one of the Greatest Orthodox Fathers, eulogized and praised the memory of St. Abba Eustathius for his patience in bearing false accusations - his Christ like life. For all those who have been false accused and condemned, may Saint Abba Eustathius intercede to the Lord on their behalf and may his memory be eternal!
The Feast of Saint Theodoros
Soldier of Rome - Martyr for Christ
The Weddasse Mariam (Hymn to Mariam [Mary]):
WEDDASSE MARIAM
(Hymn of Praise of the Virgin Mariam)
(A) First Day of The Week - Sunday
1. Thou was named “Beloved Woman”, O Blessed among
woman. You are the chamber, in that you were called
“Holiest of Holies” and in it were the Ten Words which were
written by the fingers of God. He (i.e. the Father) made
known this to us first of all by “Yawta” (i.e. Iota), which is the
first letter of the Name of our Redeemer Eeyesus Kristos,
who became incarnate of thee without change, and became
the Mediator of the New Covenant and by the Shedding of
His Holy Blood, He purified the believers and the people who
were pure. And because of this we all magnify thee,
O Our Lady Thou ever pure God-bearer.
We beseech thee and lift our eyes to thee, so that we may
find mercy and compassion with the lover of men.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
2. You are the Tabot (i.e. Tabernacle, or Ark) which was
covered on all sides with gold, and was made of the wood
that never perisheth, and came man without separation and
change, the pure and undefiled Deity, the equal of the Father To thee, as the pure woman, (Gabriel) announces Him
without seed. And He became like unto us through the
might of His wisdom; He who was incarnate of thee and
He who was spotless mingled His Divinity (without nature).
And because of this . . .
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
3. Your sanctuary which the Cherubim who are fashioned in
the likeness of God surround - the Word, Who was incarnate
of thee, O pure woman, without change has become the
forgiver of our sins and the destroyer of our transgressions.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
4.You are the Holy golden pot wherein the manna is hidden,
the bread which came down from heaven, the giver of life
unto all the world. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
5. You are the golden candlestick and does hold the brilliant
Light at all times, the Light which is the Light of the world,
the Light of Lights which had no beginning, verily God of
God, who became incarnate of thee without change. And by
His coming He shed light upon us, upon those of us who
were sitting in the shadow of darkness of death, and He set
our feet upon the path of peace through the Mystery of His
Holy Wisdom.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
6. You are the censer of gold because you did carry the
coals of the blessed fire which He took from the sanctuary -
He who forgiveth sin and destroyeth wickedness. He Who
is the Word of God. Who became incarnate of thee, and
Who offered up to His Father incense and precious offerings. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
7. You are the garden of delight, the garden of Joy, which
is planted with the trees of Lebanon, and was prepared for
the saints before the world was created. On a great
chariot, which was granted by Cherubim and Seraphim
visited her from heaven, and said unto her in the sanctuary,
“Blessed are thou amongst women. The Holy Spirit shall
come upon thee, for He who dwelleth above the Cherubim
shall become the Light for all the world”. You are the
sweet-scented flower which had sprung from the root of
Jesse. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
8. You are unto the rod of Aaron, which, without being
planted in the ground and without watering, burst into
blossom. In like manner thou, O Bearer of Christ, did bring
forth Christ our God in truth, without seed. He came and
delivered us. O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
9. It is meat for thee, O thou who are full of grace, more
than all for all the saints to pray on our behalf. Thou are
greater than the high priests, and thou are more honorable
than the Prophets; in thee there is majesty of appearance
which is greater than the majesty of the Seraphim and
Cherubim. Verily you are the glory of our race, and you are
she who must beg for life for our souls. Pray thou then on
our behalf to our Lord and Redeemer Eeyesus Kristos that
He may confirm us in the Right Faith, that is to say, faith in
Him, and that He may graciously bestow upon us His
mercy and compassion, and may in His abundant mercy
forgive us our sins forever and forever. Amen.
O HOLY VIRGIN MARIAM PRAY FOR US.
Week One, Day One
The First Day
All together: The Lord’s Prayer. Our Father who art in heaven …
OUR LADY’S PRAYER
O my lady, Mary, I salute you with the salutation of Saint Gabriel the angel and say peace be with you. You are virgin in your spirit and virgin in your body. O mother of God of Sabath, peace be with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb our Lord Jesus Christ. O full of grace; rejoice, for the Lord is with you. Intercede and pray for us mercy to your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to forgive our sins. Now and forever. Amen.
(Note: when morning and evening prayer take place in the church or in any place of worship, let all stand up and pray the opening prayer and the psalms. But they may sit down during the reading from the old and new Testaments. Then in the morning, they shall pray part 2 of the Morning Prayer of the Covenant and in the evening prayer, part 3 of the Evening Prayer of the Covenant. And our Father…)
Then, all shall say: O Holy Trinity, pity us, O Holy Trinity, spare us, O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The prayer of the holy gospel
Deacon: stand up for prayer.
People: Lord have mercy upon us
Priest: Peace be to you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Prayer of the Gospel
Priest: O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who didst say...
Deacon: Pray for the Holy gospel.
People: May he make us meet to hear the holy gospel.
Priest: Remember again, Lord, those that have bidden us....
Deacon: shall read or chant the psalm before the gospel.
Priest: shall read the Gospel. Then concluding prayer....
Command: from the prayer of the Covenant to the concluding prayer, all must stand up.
The First Day
Day 1
Morning Prayer
Opening Prayer.
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. (By blessing one’s face with the sign of the Cross), then one minute’s reflection in silence.
Opening Prayer.
Jesus our Lord and our Master, who so love the world which was created by you and you gave yourself up to death on the Cross for our sake. We humbly ask you to strengthen us by your grace and give us a heart willing to live by that same love, and hear this our morning prayer in your mercy. Amen. Our father. O my Lady Mary I salute you with the....
Psalm 1: 1 – 6
1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (This doxology is said after each psalm, apostle and the prophets, when they are used as prayers. Short pause.)
Psalm 2: 1 – 12
2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 2:4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 2:5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 2:7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said to me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 3: 1 – 8
3:1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3:3 But you, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 3:4 I cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 3:7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for you have smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; you have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 3:8 Salvation belongs to the Lord: your blessing is upon your people. Selah. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning...
Psalm 4: 1 – 8
4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. 4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. 4:3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call to him. 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. 4:6 There are many who say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us. 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for you, Lord, only make me dwell in safety. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning….
Psalm 5: 1 – 12
5:1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. 5:2 Hearken to the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for to thee will I pray. 5:3 My voice shall you hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer to thee, and will look up. 5:4 For you art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in your sight: you hate all workers of iniquity. 5:6 You shall destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. 5:7 But as for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy: and in your fear will I worship toward your holy temple. 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of mine enemies; make your way straight before my face. 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. 5:10 Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them: let them also that love your name be joyful in thee. 5:12 For you, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour you compass him as with a shield. 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 25: 1 – 5
O Lord, you art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise your name; for You has done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. For You have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin, the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt. Therefore strong peoples will glorify Thee; cities of ruthless nations will fear Thee. For You have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the blast of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, like heat in a dry place. Thou dost subdue the noise of the aliens; as heat by the shade of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is stilled. He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s reward. Amen. (This doxology is said after each reading of the Old Testament.)
2nd Reading
Acts of the Apostles 22: 12 – 16
A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there, came to me; and standing beside me, he said, “Brother Saul, regain your sight” in that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the righteous One and to hear his own voice; for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized and have your sins washed away, calling on his name. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen (This Doxology is said after the reading of from the apostle’s books. But not during the Holy Communion service. )
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 61: 1 – 2
61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Halleluiah, sand up and hearken to the holy gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (People shall stand up when the holy Gospel is reading.)
(If the priest is present during the morning and evening prayer.)
Priest shall say: The Lord be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: The holy gospel which John preached, the word of the Son of God, or The holy gospel which Matthew, Mark or Luke proclaimed.
People: Glory be to thee, Christ my Lord and my God at all times...end. Or alternative.
Priest: the holy gospel according to St Matthew, Luke, Mark or John.
4th Reading:
The Gospel of St. Matthew 6: 5 – 6
And when you pray you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you they have received their reward. But when you pray go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Priest: heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away, said the Lord to his disciples. Or alternative
Priest: this is the word of the Lord
People: thanks be to the Lord.
Concluding Prayer
Almighty, ever-living God, we humbly ask you to grant us your grace, so like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of ‘God, we may put ourselves at the service of others that are in need of our help today, tomorrow and always. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our father. O my Lady Mary I salute you with the....
Day 1
Evening Prayer
In the name of the Father and……..
Opening Prayer
Almighty, ever-living God, we humbly ask you to grant us your grace, so like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of ‘God, we may put ourselves at the service of others that are in need of our help today, tomorrow and always. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father. O my Lady Mary I salute you with the....
Psalm 6: 1 – 10
6:1 O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure. 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but you, O Lord, how long? 6:4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for your mercies' sake. 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. 6:7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxes old because of all mine enemies. 6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 6:9 The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. 6:10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As
it was in the beginning….
Psalm 7: 1 – 17
7:1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 7:2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 7:3 O Lord my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 7:4 If I have rewarded evil to him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 7:6 Arise, O Lord, in your anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded. 7:7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return you on high. 7:8 The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tries the hearts and reins. 7:10 My defence is of God, which saves the upright in heart. 7:11 God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 7:12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 7:13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordains his arrows against the persecutors. 7:14 Behold, he travails with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 7:15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 7:16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 7:17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…….
Psalm 8: 1 – 9
8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! Who have set your glory above the heavens. 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have you ordained strength because of your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger. 8:3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; 8:4 What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him? 8:5 For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honour. 8:6 You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet: 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas. 8:9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! 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 44: 21 – 24
Remember this thing, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you, you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet’s reward.
2nd Reading
Romans 1: 8 – 15
First, I thank you my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers. Asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you. Or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know; brothers and sisters that I have often intended to come to you but thus far have been prevented, in order that I reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle, shall receive the Apostle’s reward.
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 67: 1 – 3
67:1May God be gracious to us and us and make his face his face shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nation. Let the peoples praise Thee. O God; let all the peoples praise thee.
Halleluiah, stand up and hearken to the holy gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (People shall stand up when the gospel is being read.)
If the priest is present during the morning and evening prayer.
Priest : The Lord be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: The holy gospel which John preached, the word of the Son of God, or The holy gospel which Matthew, Mark or Luke proclaimed.
People: Glory be to thee, Christ my Lord and my God at all times...end.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Matthew 5: 14 – 16
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot he hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away, said the Lord to his disciples. Or Alternative he who receives…
Priest: This is the word of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: Thanks: be to our Lord Jesus Christ, or
People: We believe in the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Concluding Prayer
Lord God, the creator of our entire being, hear our prayer and humble request; inspire us with good intention help us to fulfil them. We make this our Evening Prayer and supplications through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Synaxarium:
THE SIXTH MONTH
YEKATIT 27
(March 06)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day died the holy father Abba Eustathius, Archbishop of the city of Antioch. This saint lived in the days of the Emperor Constantine the Great, and the whole world was filled completely with his divine teaching. And when the Council of the Saints assembled in the city of Nicea, this father was one of the presidents of the Council, and he agreed with the fathers, and they excommunicated and drove out Arius and his companions, who were ‘Awsabius of ‘Amid, and Nar’Isos, Bishop of the city of Nicea. And he proclaimed by the Holy Spirit the True Faith which the holy fathers of the Council proclaimed, and he drew up with them the Canon and the Law, which are written in the churches and are well known among all Christian peoples; and afterwards, the Council of the saints drew up the Law of the Church in their own countries. And the infidels who had been cut off from their Episcopal offices went forth, and after a few days they pretended that they wished to depart to Jerusalem. And they came into the city of Antioch and they gathered together in the house of a certain woman who was a harlot, and having promised to give her much money, they taught her to go into the church, and to speak lies against this saint. And she said unto the priests and the people, “This father hath committed fornication with me, and [this] is the boy, which I bare him, and he is his son.” And she took the money from them, and did as they had taught her. And those wicked men in their craftiness made a pact with that woman and accused her of speaking lies against the saint, and they debated with her, and said unto her, “Thou art a liar, and dost speak lies against this saint, and we will neither believe thee, nor accept thy word against him, unless thou takest an oath by the Holy Gospel that it is this saint who committed fornication with thee; if thou dost not swear we will not believe thee.” And the woman swore by the Holy Gospel, according as those wicked men had taught her. And thereupon those wicked men said, “Now that thou hast sworn an oath, the whole matter is complete.” And after this those wicked men passed judgment upon this saint, and they cut him off from his Episcopal office, and then they sent a letter to the Emperor Constantine, and they calumniated the saint to him, and said unto him, “Behold, the united priesthood have assembled against him, and they have cut him off from his office, because of the fornication which he committed; do what thou pleasest to him.” And Constantine thought that what they said was true, and he sent and banished this saint to the city of ‘Etrakes, and he died there in exile. Woe be unto the souls of those men who of their evil disposition separated the Son of God from His Godhead, and drove out this saint from his office, by means of the evil pretext which their teacher Satan had taught them. And they became associates of a harlot, and they entreated her so well that at length she uttered lies against the holy man, [saying] that he had committed fornication with her, and they made her swear [this] on the Holy Gospel. But God was not ignorant about her or them, for after they had driven the holy man into exile the woman fell sick of a severe sickness, which lasted a long time. And at length her body withered, and fell into utter decay; and she knew that the severe sickness which caused her tribulation had come because of the lies which she had uttered against the saint; and she drew nigh to death. And when her sickness increased she confessed before all the men of the city of Antioch, and said unto them, “Saint Eustathius is innocent of this charge. These wicked men gave me much money, and taught me to utter lies against him, and I swore an oath falsely on the Holy Gospel. The sin to which I swore I committed with another man whose name was Eustathius, like that of the saint, and those men taught me to swear the oath, and when I did so I thought in my heart of that Eustathius with whom I had committed fornication, though I uttered the name of this saint freely with my mouth.” And when she had confessed her sin before all the people of the city of Antioch, they were exceedingly sad. And at the time of the Eucharist, the priests of the city of Antioch omitted to mention the name of this saint, and when they had heard the confession of this woman, they mentioned the name of this saint at the time of the Eucharist. And Saint John, the Mouth of Gold (i.e. Chrysostom), praised this saint in many Homilies and writings which he pronounced on him on the day of his festival. Salutation to Eustathius.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
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