From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Saturday, April 23, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
Matthew 27:62-66
St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-20
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Holy Saturday
George the Great Martyr & Triumphant
Orthros Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 27:62-66
Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and
the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how
that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will
rise again.' Therefore order the sepulcher to be made secure until the
third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the
people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse
than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers;
go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the
sepulcher secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:3-11
Brethren, all who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into
His death. We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death,
so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united
with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in
a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified
with Him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no
longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But
if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
Him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never
die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died
He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God.
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 28:1-20
After the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher. And behold, there
was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from
heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His
appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear
of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel
said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus
who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his
disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before
you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you." So they
departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell
his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail! " And they
came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said
to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to
Galilee, and there they will see me."
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and
told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had
assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to
the soldiers and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and
stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the
governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they
took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been
spread among the Jews to this day.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which
Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but
some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the
age. Amen."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Holy Saturday
Reading from the Synaxarion:
On Saturday, the high priests and Pharisees gathered together before
Pilate and asked him to have Jesus' tomb sealed until the third day;
because, as those enemies of God said, "We suspect that His disciples will
come and steal His buried body by night, and then proclaim to the
people that His resurrection is true, as that deceiver Himself foretold
while He was yet alive; and then the last deception shall be worse than
the first." After they had said these things to Pilate and received
his permission, they went and sealed the tomb, and assigned a watch
for security, that is, guards from among the soldiers under the
supervision of the high priests (Matt. 27:62-66). While commemorating the
entombment of the holy Body of our Lord today, we also celebrate His dread
descent with His soul, whereby He destroyed the gates and bars of Hades,
and made His light to shine where only darkness had reigned (Job 3 8
: 17; Esaias 49:9; 1 Peter 3:18-20); death was put to death, Hades
was stripped of all its captives, our first parents and all the
righteous who died from the beginning of time ran to Him Whom they had
awaited, and the holy angelic orders glorified God for the restoration of
our fallen race.
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
Lowering Your pure body from the Cross, Joseph wrapped it in clean muslin
with fragrant spices and laid it in a new tomb.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
He Who enclosed the deeps is now seen dead; and the immortal One is
laid in a tomb enclosed in a shroud with myrrh. Women, too, come to
anoint Him, weeping bitterly and lamenting: "This Sabbath is blessed
above all others, for Christ, having fallen asleep, will rise on the
third day."
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
George the Great Martyr & Triumphant
Reading from the Synaxarion:
George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a
father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military
tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was
illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned
that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the
Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and
denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his
steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured
with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards
Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided
many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of
Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.
His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to
Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were
finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The
translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated
on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)
If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of
St. George is translated to Bright Monday.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and
champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with
Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Cultivated by God, you became manifest as an honorable tiller gathering for
yourself the sheaves of virtue. For you sowed with tears but reaped with
gladness; in the contest you competed with your blood and came away with
Christ. By your intercessions, O Holy One, all are granted forgiveness of
sins.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Saturday, April 23, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
Matthew 27:62-66
St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-20
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Holy Saturday
George the Great Martyr & Triumphant
Orthros Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 27:62-66
Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and
the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how
that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will
rise again.' Therefore order the sepulcher to be made secure until the
third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the
people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse
than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers;
go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the
sepulcher secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:3-11
Brethren, all who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into
His death. We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death,
so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united
with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in
a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified
with Him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no
longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But
if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
Him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never
die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died
He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God.
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 28:1-20
After the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher. And behold, there
was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from
heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His
appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear
of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel
said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus
who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his
disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before
you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you." So they
departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell
his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail! " And they
came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said
to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to
Galilee, and there they will see me."
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and
told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had
assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to
the soldiers and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and
stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the
governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they
took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been
spread among the Jews to this day.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which
Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but
some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the
age. Amen."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Holy Saturday
Reading from the Synaxarion:
On Saturday, the high priests and Pharisees gathered together before
Pilate and asked him to have Jesus' tomb sealed until the third day;
because, as those enemies of God said, "We suspect that His disciples will
come and steal His buried body by night, and then proclaim to the
people that His resurrection is true, as that deceiver Himself foretold
while He was yet alive; and then the last deception shall be worse than
the first." After they had said these things to Pilate and received
his permission, they went and sealed the tomb, and assigned a watch
for security, that is, guards from among the soldiers under the
supervision of the high priests (Matt. 27:62-66). While commemorating the
entombment of the holy Body of our Lord today, we also celebrate His dread
descent with His soul, whereby He destroyed the gates and bars of Hades,
and made His light to shine where only darkness had reigned (Job 3 8
: 17; Esaias 49:9; 1 Peter 3:18-20); death was put to death, Hades
was stripped of all its captives, our first parents and all the
righteous who died from the beginning of time ran to Him Whom they had
awaited, and the holy angelic orders glorified God for the restoration of
our fallen race.
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
Lowering Your pure body from the Cross, Joseph wrapped it in clean muslin
with fragrant spices and laid it in a new tomb.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
He Who enclosed the deeps is now seen dead; and the immortal One is
laid in a tomb enclosed in a shroud with myrrh. Women, too, come to
anoint Him, weeping bitterly and lamenting: "This Sabbath is blessed
above all others, for Christ, having fallen asleep, will rise on the
third day."
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
George the Great Martyr & Triumphant
Reading from the Synaxarion:
George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a
father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military
tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was
illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned
that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the
Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and
denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his
steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured
with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards
Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided
many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of
Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.
His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to
Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were
finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The
translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated
on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)
If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of
St. George is translated to Bright Monday.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and
champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with
Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Cultivated by God, you became manifest as an honorable tiller gathering for
yourself the sheaves of virtue. For you sowed with tears but reaped with
gladness; in the contest you competed with your blood and came away with
Christ. By your intercessions, O Holy One, all are granted forgiveness of
sins.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
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