From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Friday, April 22, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 5:6-8
Matthew 27:62-66
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Holy Friday
Theodore the Sykeote
Nathaniel, Luke, & Clemente the Apostles
Nearchos the Martyr
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 5:6-8
BRETHREN, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Cleanse out the
old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.
For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore,
celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and
evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (Galatians
3.13-14) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a
curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who hangs on a
tree" - that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon
the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
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
Holy Friday
Reading from the Synaxarion:
When Friday dawned, Christ was sent bound from Caiaphas to Pontius
Pilate, who was then Governor of Judea. Pilate interrogated Him in many
ways, and once and again acknowledged that He was innocent, but to
please the Jews, he later passed the sentence of death against Him.
After scourging the Lord of all as though He were a runaway slave, he
surrendered Him to be crucified.
Thus the Lord Jesus was handed over to the soldiers, was stripped of
His garments, was clothed in a purple robe, was crowned with a wreath
of thorns, had a reed placed in His hand as though it were a
sceptre, was bowed before in mockery, was spat upon, and was buffeted in
the face and on the head. Then they again clothed Him in His own
garments, and bearing the cross, He came to Golgotha, a place of
condemnation, and there, about the third hour, He was crucified between two
thieves. Although both blasphemed Him at the first, the thief at His right
hand repented, and said: "Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy
Kingdom," to which our Saviour answered, "Today shalt thou be with Me in
Paradise." As He hung upon the Cross, He was blasphemed by those who were
passing by, was mocked by the high priests, and by the soldiers was given
vinegar to drink mixed with gall. About the ninth hour, He cried out with
a loud voice, saying, "It is finished." And the Lamb of God "Which
taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) expired on the day when
the moon was full, and at the hour when, according to the Law, was
slain the Passover lamb, which was established as a type of Him in the
time of Moses.
Even lifeless creation mourned the death of the Master, and it
trembled and was altered out of fear. Yet, even though the Maker of
creation was already dead, they pierced Him in His immaculate side, and
forthwith came there out Blood and Water. Finally, at about the setting of
the sun, Joseph of Arimathea came with Nicodemus (both of them had
been secret disciples of Jesus), and they took down the all-holy Body
of the Teacher from the Cross and anointed it with aromatic spices,
and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. When they had buried Him in a
new tomb, they rolled a great stone over its entrance.
Such are the dread and saving sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ
commemorated today, and in remembrance of them, we have received the Apostolic
commandment that a fast be observed every Friday.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As the glorious disciples, in the washing of the feet, were
enlightened, the profane Judas, ravaged by greed, was benighted. And to the
lawless judges he surrenders You the just judge. Consider, you who love
money, the one who hanged himself for the sake of it. Shun the insatiate
heart that could dare such a deed against the Teacher. Lord, benevolent
above all humans, glory to You.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Come, let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us. Mary beheld Him
on the Tree and said, "Though You endure even the Cross, You are my
Son and my God."
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Theodore the Sykeote
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Theodore was born out of wedlock in Sykeon, a village of Galatia
in Asia Minor. From his childhood, he was under the protection and
guidance of the holy Great Martyr George, who often appeared to him, and
was as it were his trainer in the hard ascetical discipline which he
took upon himself all his life. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land,
he became a monk in his native Galatia. About 584 he was ordained
Bishop of Anastasiopolis in Galatia, where he shepherded his flock for
ten years. After this, he asked to be allowed to be relieved of the
duties of governing the diocese. His request was granted but he was
commanded to retain his rank as bishop. Saint Theodore was a great worker
of miracles, and also received from God the power to cast out even
the most obstinate demons, who called him "Iron-eater" because of his
stern way of life. Having passed throughout many regions, worked
numerous miracles, and strengthened the faithful in piety, he departed
this life in 613.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Since thou hadst been known from thy swaddling bands to be sanctified,
and hadst been shown to be filled with graces, thou didst illuminate
the world with miracles, and dist drive off the swarms of demons, O
sacred minister Theodore; wherefore do thou beseech the Lord in our
behalf.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
As thy fiery chariot, thou didst ascend on the virtues, O
God-bearer, mounting up unto the dwellings of Heaven; and thou wast an Angel
living on earth among men, and a man dancing for joy with the holy
Angles. Hence, O Theodore, thou hast proved a godly vessel of awesome
wonders and signs.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Friday, April 22, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 5:6-8
Matthew 27:62-66
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Holy Friday
Theodore the Sykeote
Nathaniel, Luke, & Clemente the Apostles
Nearchos the Martyr
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 5:6-8
BRETHREN, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Cleanse out the
old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.
For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore,
celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and
evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (Galatians
3.13-14) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a
curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who hangs on a
tree" - that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon
the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
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
Holy Friday
Reading from the Synaxarion:
When Friday dawned, Christ was sent bound from Caiaphas to Pontius
Pilate, who was then Governor of Judea. Pilate interrogated Him in many
ways, and once and again acknowledged that He was innocent, but to
please the Jews, he later passed the sentence of death against Him.
After scourging the Lord of all as though He were a runaway slave, he
surrendered Him to be crucified.
Thus the Lord Jesus was handed over to the soldiers, was stripped of
His garments, was clothed in a purple robe, was crowned with a wreath
of thorns, had a reed placed in His hand as though it were a
sceptre, was bowed before in mockery, was spat upon, and was buffeted in
the face and on the head. Then they again clothed Him in His own
garments, and bearing the cross, He came to Golgotha, a place of
condemnation, and there, about the third hour, He was crucified between two
thieves. Although both blasphemed Him at the first, the thief at His right
hand repented, and said: "Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy
Kingdom," to which our Saviour answered, "Today shalt thou be with Me in
Paradise." As He hung upon the Cross, He was blasphemed by those who were
passing by, was mocked by the high priests, and by the soldiers was given
vinegar to drink mixed with gall. About the ninth hour, He cried out with
a loud voice, saying, "It is finished." And the Lamb of God "Which
taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) expired on the day when
the moon was full, and at the hour when, according to the Law, was
slain the Passover lamb, which was established as a type of Him in the
time of Moses.
Even lifeless creation mourned the death of the Master, and it
trembled and was altered out of fear. Yet, even though the Maker of
creation was already dead, they pierced Him in His immaculate side, and
forthwith came there out Blood and Water. Finally, at about the setting of
the sun, Joseph of Arimathea came with Nicodemus (both of them had
been secret disciples of Jesus), and they took down the all-holy Body
of the Teacher from the Cross and anointed it with aromatic spices,
and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. When they had buried Him in a
new tomb, they rolled a great stone over its entrance.
Such are the dread and saving sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ
commemorated today, and in remembrance of them, we have received the Apostolic
commandment that a fast be observed every Friday.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As the glorious disciples, in the washing of the feet, were
enlightened, the profane Judas, ravaged by greed, was benighted. And to the
lawless judges he surrenders You the just judge. Consider, you who love
money, the one who hanged himself for the sake of it. Shun the insatiate
heart that could dare such a deed against the Teacher. Lord, benevolent
above all humans, glory to You.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Come, let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us. Mary beheld Him
on the Tree and said, "Though You endure even the Cross, You are my
Son and my God."
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Theodore the Sykeote
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Theodore was born out of wedlock in Sykeon, a village of Galatia
in Asia Minor. From his childhood, he was under the protection and
guidance of the holy Great Martyr George, who often appeared to him, and
was as it were his trainer in the hard ascetical discipline which he
took upon himself all his life. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land,
he became a monk in his native Galatia. About 584 he was ordained
Bishop of Anastasiopolis in Galatia, where he shepherded his flock for
ten years. After this, he asked to be allowed to be relieved of the
duties of governing the diocese. His request was granted but he was
commanded to retain his rank as bishop. Saint Theodore was a great worker
of miracles, and also received from God the power to cast out even
the most obstinate demons, who called him "Iron-eater" because of his
stern way of life. Having passed throughout many regions, worked
numerous miracles, and strengthened the faithful in piety, he departed
this life in 613.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Since thou hadst been known from thy swaddling bands to be sanctified,
and hadst been shown to be filled with graces, thou didst illuminate
the world with miracles, and dist drive off the swarms of demons, O
sacred minister Theodore; wherefore do thou beseech the Lord in our
behalf.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
As thy fiery chariot, thou didst ascend on the virtues, O
God-bearer, mounting up unto the dwellings of Heaven; and thou wast an Angel
living on earth among men, and a man dancing for joy with the holy
Angles. Hence, O Theodore, thou hast proved a godly vessel of awesome
wonders and signs.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
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