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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Saturday, April 9, 2011
Fast Day (Wine and Oil Allowed)
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7
Luke 1:39-49, 56
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
5th Saturday of Lent: The Akathist Hymn
Eupsychios the Martyr
Vadim the Righteous of Persia
Rafael, Nicholas, Irene, & Olympias of Mytilene
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7
BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly
sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the
lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the
Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of
Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant
covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the
manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of
these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having
thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent,
performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest
goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he
offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 1:39-49, 56
In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country,
to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and
greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the
babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the
mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your
greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed
is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was
spoken to her from the Lord."
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit
rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his
handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for
he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his
name." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to
her home.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
5th Saturday of Lent: The Akathist Hymn
Reading from the Synaxarion:
About the year 626, the Persians, Avars, and Slavs came with a great
host and besieged the imperial city of Constantinople while the
Emperor Heraclius and the main body of the Byzantine army were absent in
the East. Enemy ships filled the sea, especially the Golden Horn, and
on land the adversaries were ready for attack with foot-soldiers,
horses, and engines of war. Though the citizens courageously withstood
them, yet they were few in number and would be unable to repulse the
attack of such a great host. Hence, they could not count on any other
means of salvation, except the protection of the Theotokos. And truly,
suddenly a violent tempest broke up all the ships and submerged them, and
the bodies of the invaders were cast out near the Blachernae quarter
of the city where the famous Church of the Theotokos stood. Taking
courage from this, the people went forth from the city and repulsed the
remaining forces, who fled out of fear. In 673, the city was miraculously
delivered yet again, this time from an invasion of the Arabs. Then in
717-718, led by the Saracen general Maslamah, the Arab fleet laid siege
once more to the city. The numerical superiority of the enemy was so
overwhelming that the fall of the Imperial City seemed imminent. But then the
Mother of God, together with a multitude of the angelic hosts, appeared
suddenly over the city walls. The enemy forces, struck with terror and
thrown into a panic at this apparition, fled in disarray. Soon after
this, the Arab fleet was utterly destroyed by a terrible storm in the
Aegean Sea on the eve of the Annunciation, March 24, 718. Thenceforth, a
special "feast of victory and of thanksgiving" was dedicated to celebrate
and commemorate these benefactions. In this magnificent service, the
Akathist Hymn is prominent and holds the place of honour. It appears that
even before the occasion of the enemy assaults mentioned above, the
Akathist Hymn was already in use as the prescribed Service for the Feast
of the Annunciation, together with the kontakion, "When the bodiless
one learned the secret command," which has the Annunciation as its
theme. It was only on the occasion of the great miracle wrought for the
Christian populace of the Imperial City on the eve of the Annunciation in
718 that the hymn "To thee, the Champion Leader" was composed, most
likely by Saint Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople.
Historians have ascribed the Akathist Hymn to Patriarch Sergius of
Constantinople (638), to Saint George the Confessor, Bishop of Pisidia (818), or
even to Saint Photius the Great (891), all of whom lived either at the
time of or after the above-mentioned sieges. However, it appears most
likely from its language, content, and style that the true composer of
the Akathist Hymn is Saint Romanus the Melodist (6th century).
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
When the bodiless one learned the secret command, in haste he came and
stood before Joseph's dwelling, and spake unto the Maiden who knew not
wedlock: The One Who hath bowed the Heavens by His descent is held and
contained unchanging wholly in thee. Seeing Him receiving the form of a
servant in thy womb, I stand in awe and cry to thee: Rejoice, thou Bride
unwedded.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from
peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering.
In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may
call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Eupsychios the Martyr
Reading from the Synaxarion:
This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a
blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this
blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians,
destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he
received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the
prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal
God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants
and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ
God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Saturday, April 9, 2011
Fast Day (Wine and Oil Allowed)
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7
Luke 1:39-49, 56
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
5th Saturday of Lent: The Akathist Hymn
Eupsychios the Martyr
Vadim the Righteous of Persia
Rafael, Nicholas, Irene, & Olympias of Mytilene
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7
BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly
sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the
lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the
Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of
Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant
covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the
manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of
these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having
thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent,
performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest
goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he
offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 1:39-49, 56
In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country,
to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and
greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the
babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the
mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your
greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed
is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was
spoken to her from the Lord."
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit
rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his
handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for
he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his
name." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to
her home.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
5th Saturday of Lent: The Akathist Hymn
Reading from the Synaxarion:
About the year 626, the Persians, Avars, and Slavs came with a great
host and besieged the imperial city of Constantinople while the
Emperor Heraclius and the main body of the Byzantine army were absent in
the East. Enemy ships filled the sea, especially the Golden Horn, and
on land the adversaries were ready for attack with foot-soldiers,
horses, and engines of war. Though the citizens courageously withstood
them, yet they were few in number and would be unable to repulse the
attack of such a great host. Hence, they could not count on any other
means of salvation, except the protection of the Theotokos. And truly,
suddenly a violent tempest broke up all the ships and submerged them, and
the bodies of the invaders were cast out near the Blachernae quarter
of the city where the famous Church of the Theotokos stood. Taking
courage from this, the people went forth from the city and repulsed the
remaining forces, who fled out of fear. In 673, the city was miraculously
delivered yet again, this time from an invasion of the Arabs. Then in
717-718, led by the Saracen general Maslamah, the Arab fleet laid siege
once more to the city. The numerical superiority of the enemy was so
overwhelming that the fall of the Imperial City seemed imminent. But then the
Mother of God, together with a multitude of the angelic hosts, appeared
suddenly over the city walls. The enemy forces, struck with terror and
thrown into a panic at this apparition, fled in disarray. Soon after
this, the Arab fleet was utterly destroyed by a terrible storm in the
Aegean Sea on the eve of the Annunciation, March 24, 718. Thenceforth, a
special "feast of victory and of thanksgiving" was dedicated to celebrate
and commemorate these benefactions. In this magnificent service, the
Akathist Hymn is prominent and holds the place of honour. It appears that
even before the occasion of the enemy assaults mentioned above, the
Akathist Hymn was already in use as the prescribed Service for the Feast
of the Annunciation, together with the kontakion, "When the bodiless
one learned the secret command," which has the Annunciation as its
theme. It was only on the occasion of the great miracle wrought for the
Christian populace of the Imperial City on the eve of the Annunciation in
718 that the hymn "To thee, the Champion Leader" was composed, most
likely by Saint Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople.
Historians have ascribed the Akathist Hymn to Patriarch Sergius of
Constantinople (638), to Saint George the Confessor, Bishop of Pisidia (818), or
even to Saint Photius the Great (891), all of whom lived either at the
time of or after the above-mentioned sieges. However, it appears most
likely from its language, content, and style that the true composer of
the Akathist Hymn is Saint Romanus the Melodist (6th century).
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
When the bodiless one learned the secret command, in haste he came and
stood before Joseph's dwelling, and spake unto the Maiden who knew not
wedlock: The One Who hath bowed the Heavens by His descent is held and
contained unchanging wholly in thee. Seeing Him receiving the form of a
servant in thy womb, I stand in awe and cry to thee: Rejoice, thou Bride
unwedded.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from
peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering.
In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may
call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Eupsychios the Martyr
Reading from the Synaxarion:
This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a
blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this
blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians,
destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he
received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the
prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal
God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants
and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ
God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
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