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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
John 12:17-50
Matthew 26:6-16
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Holy Wednesday
Theodore the Trichinas
Zacchaeus the Apostle of Caesaria
Gregory & Anastasios, Patriarchs of Antioch
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 12:17-50
At that time, the crowd that had been with him when he called
Laz'arus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The
reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done
this sign. The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see that you
can do nothing; look, the world has gone after him."
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
So these came to Philip, who was from Beth-sa'ida in Galilee, and
said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew;
Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. And Jesus answered them,
"The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly,
I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and
dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who
loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me;
and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me,
the Father will honor him.
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? `Father, save me from
this hour'? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father,
glorify thy name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it,
and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing by heard it and said
that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now
is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be
cast out; and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men
to myself." He said this to show by what death he was to die. The
crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains
for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who
is this Son of man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for
a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness
overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become
sons of light."
When Jesus had said this, he departed and hid himself from them.
Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe
in him; it was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be
fulfilled: "Lord, who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of
the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe. For Isaiah
again said, "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest
they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and
turn for me to heal them." Isaiah said this because he saw his glory
and spoke of him. Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed
in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest
they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of
men more than the praise of God.
And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in me, believes not in
me but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him who sent me.
I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me
may not remain in darkness. If any one hears my sayings and does not
keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world
but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my
sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the
last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who
sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to
speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say,
therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 26:6-16
When Jesus was at Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman
came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment and
she poured it on his head, as he sat at table. But when the disciples
saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this
ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to the poor." But
Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For
she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor
with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on
my body she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to
you wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has
done will be told in memory of her." Then one of the twelve, who was
called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will
you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces
of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray
him.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Holy Wednesday
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Two women - say the more discerning interpreters of the Gospel -
anointed the Lord with myrrh; the one, a long time before His Passion; the
other, a few days before. One was a harlot and sinner; the other, chaste
and virtuous. The Church commemorates this reverent act today. While
mentioning herein the person of the harlot, it also mentions Judas'
betrayal; for, according to the account in Matthew, both of these deeds
took place two days before the Passover, on Wednesday.
That woman, then, anointed Jesus' head and feet with very precious
myrrh, and wiped them with the tresses of her hair. The disciples,
especially the avaricious Judas, were scandalized, supposedly because of the
waste of the myrrh, which could be sold for a great price and given to
the poor. The Lord Jesus reproved them and told them not to trouble
the woman. Indignant, Judas went to the high priests, who were
gathered in the court of Caiaphas and were already taking counsel against
Jesus. On agreeing with them to betray his Teacher for thirty pieces of
silver, Judas sought from that time opportunity to betray Him (Matt.
26:14-16). Because the betrayal took place on Wednesday, we have received
the tradition from Apostolic times to fast on Wednesday throughout
the year.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Though I have outdone the harlot in sin, yet I have offered You no
shower of tears. Rather, I fall before You fervently kissing Your
spotless feet, praying silently that, as Master, You will remit my debts
as I cry: "Savior, free me from the foulness of my deeds!"
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Theodore the Trichinas
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Theodore who was from Constantinople, was born to parents who
were pious and of means. He took up the monastic life in a monastery
in the imperial city, and wore nought but a rough hair shirt for all
his life, from whence also he received his name. He reposed in the
late fourth, or early fifth century. Saint Joseph the Hymnographer
composed a canon in his honour.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you
took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us
to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about
the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Theodore, your soul
rejoices with the angels.
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
Angels. 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 Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Zacchaeus the Apostle of Caesaria
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The conversion of the publican Zacchaeus, and our Saviour's
compassion for him, is narrated in the Holy Gospel (Luke 19:1-10).
Afterwards he laboured as a companion of the Holy Apostles, and became first
Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine.
Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Having justly hated unjust riches, thou didst lay up treasures of
salvation; for, receiving the Saviour within thy house, thou, O Zacchaeus,
wast truly made marvelous with all the fruits of repentance thou
broughtest forth: deeds of mercy, the correction of wrongs, and godly life,
because of which we honour thee and call thee blest.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
When He that bowed the Heavens came to save sinners, Zacchaeus, great
in zeal, but little of stature, beheld the Tree of Life from in the
sycamore; lifted above the earth, he saw Jesus, Who called him: coming
down in lowliness, he repenting, received Him; and so salvation came
into his house, and he was shown forth a true son of Abraham.
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 Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
John 12:17-50
Matthew 26:6-16
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Holy Wednesday
Theodore the Trichinas
Zacchaeus the Apostle of Caesaria
Gregory & Anastasios, Patriarchs of Antioch
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 12:17-50
At that time, the crowd that had been with him when he called
Laz'arus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The
reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done
this sign. The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see that you
can do nothing; look, the world has gone after him."
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
So these came to Philip, who was from Beth-sa'ida in Galilee, and
said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew;
Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. And Jesus answered them,
"The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly,
I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and
dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who
loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me;
and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me,
the Father will honor him.
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? `Father, save me from
this hour'? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father,
glorify thy name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it,
and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing by heard it and said
that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now
is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be
cast out; and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men
to myself." He said this to show by what death he was to die. The
crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains
for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who
is this Son of man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for
a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness
overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become
sons of light."
When Jesus had said this, he departed and hid himself from them.
Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe
in him; it was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be
fulfilled: "Lord, who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of
the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe. For Isaiah
again said, "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest
they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and
turn for me to heal them." Isaiah said this because he saw his glory
and spoke of him. Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed
in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest
they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of
men more than the praise of God.
And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in me, believes not in
me but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him who sent me.
I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me
may not remain in darkness. If any one hears my sayings and does not
keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world
but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my
sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the
last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who
sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to
speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say,
therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 26:6-16
When Jesus was at Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman
came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment and
she poured it on his head, as he sat at table. But when the disciples
saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this
ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to the poor." But
Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For
she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor
with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on
my body she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to
you wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has
done will be told in memory of her." Then one of the twelve, who was
called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will
you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces
of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray
him.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Holy Wednesday
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Two women - say the more discerning interpreters of the Gospel -
anointed the Lord with myrrh; the one, a long time before His Passion; the
other, a few days before. One was a harlot and sinner; the other, chaste
and virtuous. The Church commemorates this reverent act today. While
mentioning herein the person of the harlot, it also mentions Judas'
betrayal; for, according to the account in Matthew, both of these deeds
took place two days before the Passover, on Wednesday.
That woman, then, anointed Jesus' head and feet with very precious
myrrh, and wiped them with the tresses of her hair. The disciples,
especially the avaricious Judas, were scandalized, supposedly because of the
waste of the myrrh, which could be sold for a great price and given to
the poor. The Lord Jesus reproved them and told them not to trouble
the woman. Indignant, Judas went to the high priests, who were
gathered in the court of Caiaphas and were already taking counsel against
Jesus. On agreeing with them to betray his Teacher for thirty pieces of
silver, Judas sought from that time opportunity to betray Him (Matt.
26:14-16). Because the betrayal took place on Wednesday, we have received
the tradition from Apostolic times to fast on Wednesday throughout
the year.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Though I have outdone the harlot in sin, yet I have offered You no
shower of tears. Rather, I fall before You fervently kissing Your
spotless feet, praying silently that, as Master, You will remit my debts
as I cry: "Savior, free me from the foulness of my deeds!"
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Theodore the Trichinas
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Theodore who was from Constantinople, was born to parents who
were pious and of means. He took up the monastic life in a monastery
in the imperial city, and wore nought but a rough hair shirt for all
his life, from whence also he received his name. He reposed in the
late fourth, or early fifth century. Saint Joseph the Hymnographer
composed a canon in his honour.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you
took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us
to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about
the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Theodore, your soul
rejoices with the angels.
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
Angels. 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 Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Zacchaeus the Apostle of Caesaria
Reading from the Synaxarion:
The conversion of the publican Zacchaeus, and our Saviour's
compassion for him, is narrated in the Holy Gospel (Luke 19:1-10).
Afterwards he laboured as a companion of the Holy Apostles, and became first
Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine.
Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Having justly hated unjust riches, thou didst lay up treasures of
salvation; for, receiving the Saviour within thy house, thou, O Zacchaeus,
wast truly made marvelous with all the fruits of repentance thou
broughtest forth: deeds of mercy, the correction of wrongs, and godly life,
because of which we honour thee and call thee blest.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
When He that bowed the Heavens came to save sinners, Zacchaeus, great
in zeal, but little of stature, beheld the Tree of Life from in the
sycamore; lifted above the earth, he saw Jesus, Who called him: coming
down in lowliness, he repenting, received Him; and so salvation came
into his house, and he was shown forth a true son of Abraham.
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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