------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Thout Season : Nairooz (Martyr's New Year) Tune : Jubilant Verse of the Day: "And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John." (Luke 7:29) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 29:4,10 "Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the rememberance of His Holiness. The Lord hath heard me and hath had mercy on me; the Lord became my helper." Alleluja! Gospel: Matthew 11:11-19 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 30:1,19 "In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me not be put to shame in the age to come. How great is the multitude of Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast hid for them that fear Thee." Alleluja! Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27 "The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Timothy 1:12-19 "And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Jesus Christ." Catholic Epistle: James 1:22-27 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Praxis: Acts 13:25-33 "Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me ..." Synexarion: + Commemoration of the Council held in the city of Alexandria (243 A.D.), in the days of St. Dionysius, 14th Patriarch of Alexandria, in order to banish those who say that the soul dies with the body. + A great earthquake which took place in Egypt. Psalm: 30:23,19 "O love ye the Lord, all ye His saints, for the Lord requires truth. How great is the multitude of Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast hid for them that fear Thee." Alleluja! Gospel: Luke 7:28-35 "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'... But wisdom is justified by all her children." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Sunday of Thout Season : Nairooz (Martyr's New Year) Tune : Jubilant Theme of the Day: The Love of God the Father. Verse of the Day: "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father." (Luke 10:22) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 7:10,11 "Righteous is my help from God, Who saves them who are upright of heart, God is a Judge that is righteous, strong and forebearing." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 4:38-41 "Now when the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 8:1,4 "O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Thy name in all the earth! What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man that Thou visits him?" Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 1:35-39 "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: II Timothy 1:12-2:10 "The Lord grant him that he may find mercy from Lord in that Day." Catholic Epistle: James 2:5-13 "Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him." Praxis: Acts 11:19-26 "When he came and had seen the grace of of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all ..." Synexarion: + Mrtyrdom of Saint Matruna. She was a Christian girl in the service of a Jewish mistress who tried to convert her to Judaism. Her mistress beat her and locked her up without food in a dark cellar until she reposed. + Martyrdom of Saints Basin and her three children. Psalm: 20:1,2 "O Lord, in Thy strength the king shall be glad, and in Thy salvation shall he rejoice exceedingly. The desire of his heart hast Thou granted unto him and Thou hast not denied him the request of his lips." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 10:21-28 "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Sunday of Thout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Thout Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: The Compassion of God the Father. Verse of the Day: "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ." (II Corinthians 1:5) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 32:4,5 "For the word of the Lord is right and all His works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26 "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 32:20,21 "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our sheild; for our heart shall rejoice in Him because we have trusted in His Holy Name." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28 "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: II Corinthians 1:1-14 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort..." Catholic Epistle: I John 3:8-12 "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." Praxis: Acts 9:36-42 "But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Gregory, the ascetic. + Martyrdom of Saint Quadratus, one of the seventy-two disciples. He was a noble Athenian. Because of his belief in Christ, he was tortured, stoned, and burned. Psalm: 27:8,9 "The Lord is their strength and He is the saving strength of His anointed. Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; feed them also and lift them up forever." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 7:36-50 "And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Paapi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: The Grace of the Only Begotten Son. Verse of the Day: "... and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) From the Matins' Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 66:1,2 "God be merciful to us and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; that men may know Thy way on earth; Thy salvation among all nations." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 14:15-21 "... and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples ..." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 62:1,2 "O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul hath thirsted for Thee. So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 28:1-20 "And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, 'Rejoice!'" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: II Corinthians 2:12-3:6 "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ ..." Catholic Epistle: I Peter 1:22-2:5 "... having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever ..." Praxis: Acts 13:36-43 "... through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins ..." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Anastasia. She was a Roman virgin who lived a strict ascetic life. When she observed the soldiers tormenting the Christians, she chided them. The governor severly tortured her and she was finally beheaded. Psalm: 33:1,2 "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins ..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Sunday of Paapi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: The Abundance of Grace to the Humble. Verse of the Day: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God not of us." (II Corinthians 4:7) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 66:3,4 "Let the peoples give Thee praise, O God; let all the peoples praise Thee; for Thou shalt judge the peoples with uprightness and the nations shalt Thou guide upon the earth." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 17:24-27 "... go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 62:6,3,4 "I remembered Thee on my bed; at the dawn I meditated on Thee. My lips shall praise Thee. So shall I bless Thee in my life and in Thy Name will I lift up my hands." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 16:2-8 "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: II Corinthians 4:5-15 "For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God." Catholic Epistle: James 3:13-4:6 "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" Praxis: Acts 14:24-15:3 "... they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Matra, the elder. He was a native of Alexandria who suffered martyrdom under the pagan king Decius. + Martyrdom of Saints Abba Hor, Susanna and her children, and Abba Agathon, the hermit. Psalm: 65:1,2,4 "Shout with jubilation unto the Lord all the earth; chant ye unto His Name; give glory in praise of Him. Let all the earth worship Thee." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 "And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Sunday of Paapi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse of the Day: "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matthew 12:28) From the Liturgy's Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 70:5,6,7 "For Thou art my support, O Lord; O Lord Thou art my hope from my youth; of Thee is my praise continually; I am become as it were a wonder to many." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 4:35-41 "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" MATINS: _______ Psalm: 56:8,9,10 "I myself will awake at dawn. I will confess Thee among the peoples, O Lord, I will chant unto Thee among the nations, for magnified even unto the heavens is Thy mercy." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 "He is not here, but is risen! Remeber how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee ..." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Corinthians 16:12-23 "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed." Catholic Epistle: James 4:7-17 "Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." Praxis: Acts 15:4-12 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Pantilemon, the physician. He was the son of a pagan father and a Christian mother. He became a Christian and was baptized by a priest named Hermolaus. He was then arrested, examined, tortured, cast in prison, and finally executed by the Emperor. Psalm: 70:7,8 "Thou art my strong helper. Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may hymn Thy glory and Thy majesty all the day long." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 12:22-28 "And all the multitudes were amazed and said, 'Could this be the Son of David?'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Paapi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Confession of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse of the Day: "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." (Matthew 14:27) From the Vesper's Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 118:7,8 "I will confess Thee with uprightness of heart when I have learned the judgments of Thy righteousness. I will keep Thy statues." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36 "Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of God.'" MATINS: _______ Psalm: 34:18,28 "I will confess Thee in the great congregation; among a mighty people will I praise Thee and my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long." Alleluia! Gospel: John 20:1-18 "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Timothy 6:3-21 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." Catholic Epistle: James 4:17-5:11 "Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." Praxis: Acts 15:36-16:5 "And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Luke, the Evangelist and physician. He accompanied Saints Peter and Paul. After their martyrdom, he preached near Rome. The pagans and Jews informed Nero of Saint Luke's teachings. The Empror ordered his hands to be cut off; but the Saint fixed it back and disjoined it again. He was finally beheaded. Psalm: 78:13 "For we are Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture. We will confess Thee, O God, forever; unto generation and generation we will declare Thy praise." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 7:11-17 "Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has risen up among us'; and, 'God has visited His people.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Hathor Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: The fruitful word of God. Verse of the Day: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Luke 8:8) From the Liturgy's Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 17:15,6 "The well-springs of the waters were and the foundations of the earth were revealed. Unto my God I cried; He heard my voice." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 4:10-20 "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit ..." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 64:9 "Thou hast visited the earth and abundantly watered her; Thou hast multiplied the means of enriching her. The river of God is filled with water. Thou hast prepared their food; for thus is the preparation thereof." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 28:1-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ..." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: II Corinthians 9:1-9 "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." Catholic Epistle: James 3:1-12 "Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring can yield both salt water and fresh." Praxis: Acts 10:37-11:1 "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Felix, Patriarch of Rome. + Consecration of the Church of the Holy Virgin in El-Moharraque monastery. Psalm: 64:10,11 "Saturate her furrows; multiply her fruits. Thou shalt bless the crown of the year with Thy Goodness." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 8:4-15 "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Sunday of Hathor Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: The norishing word of God. Verse of the Day: "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." (Hebrews 6:14) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 103:13,14 "He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and green herb for the service of men." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 12:27-31 "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?" MATINS: _______ Psalm: 66:6 "The earth hath yielded her fruit. Let God, our God, bless us; let God bless us and let all the ends of the earth fear Him." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 16:2-8 "But go and tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Hebrews 6:7:15 "For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God." Catholic Epistle: Jude 14-25 "But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ ..." Praxis: Acts 5:19-29 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Timothy, bishop of Ansana. + Repose of Saint Abba Zachariah, 64th Patriarch of Alexandria. Psalm: 103:16,10 "The trees of the plain shall be satisfied; the cedars of Lebanon which Thou hast planted. He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9 "But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Sunday of Hathor Season : Nativity Fast Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Follow the Lord Jesus carrying the Cross. Verse of the Day: "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:33) From the Liturgy's Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 85:2,3,4 "Save Thy servant, O my God, that hopeth in Thee. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for unto Thee will I cry all the day long; make glad the soul of Thy servant." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 112:3,4 "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same; the Name of the Lord is to be praised. High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is His Glory." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 "Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing spices which they prepared." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: II Thessalonians 1:1-12 "... we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure ..." Catholic Epistle: I Peter 4:3-11 "For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles ..." Praxis: Acts 5:30-42 "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Anianus, Second Patriarch of Alexandria. He was a pagan who believed Saint Mark the Evangelist, who accepted him into the Faith. + Consecration of the Church of Saint Theodoros of Shatb. + Consecration of the Church of Saint Theodoros El-Meshreky. Psalm: 85:15,16 "But Thou, O Lord, my God, art comppasionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and true. Look upon me and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant and save the son of Thy handmaiden." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 14:25-35 "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Hathor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Koiahk Season : Nativity Fast Tune : Koiahk Adam Theme of the Day: Preparation for the Incarnation of Lord Jesus Christ. Verse of the Day: "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." (Luke 1:25) From the Liturgy's Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 12:1,3 "How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me? Consider and hear me, O Lord, my God; enlighten my eyes." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 14:3-9 "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the whole world, what this woman did will also be spoken of as a memorial to her." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 101:19,20,21 "The Lord from heaven has looked upon the earth to hear the groaning of them that be in fetters; to declare in Sion the Name of the Lord and His praise in Jerusalem." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 12:41-44 "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury ..." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Romans 1:1-17 "... the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh." Catholic Epistle: James 1:1-18 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." Praxis: Acts 1:1-14 "... for John truely baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, the apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. He went to Lydda with Philemon, his disciple, and read the Psalms to the priest of the idols. The priest and his congregation believed. Psalm: 101:13,16 "Thou shalt rise up and have pity upon Sion, for it is time to have compassion on her. For the Lord shall build up Sion and He shall be seen in His glory." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 1:1-25 "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Sunday of Koiahk Season : Nativity Fast Tune : Koiahk Adam Theme of the Day: Annunciation of the Incarnation of Lord Jesus Christ. Verse of the Day: "... you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest ..." (Luke 1:31) From the Liturgy's Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 143:5,7 "O Lord, bow the heavens and come down; touch the mountains and they shall smoke. Send forth Thy hand on high; rescue and deliver me." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 7:36-50 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 71:6,7 "He shall come down like rain upon a fleece and like raindrops that fall upon the earth. In His days shall righteousness dawn forth an abundance of peace." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 11:20-28 "'Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!' But He said, 'More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Romans 3:1-4:3 "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets ..." Catholic Epistle: I John 1:1-2:2 "... the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us ..." Praxis: Acts 7:30-34 "And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to Him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Pigeemi the anchorite. Psalm: 44:10,11 "Hearken, O daughter, and see; and incline thine ear and forget thine own people and thy father's house for the King has greatly desired thy beauty; for He Himself is thy Lord." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Koiahk Season : Nativity Fast Tune : Koiahk Adam Theme of the Day: The Birth of the Son of the Promise, the Forerunner. Verse of the Day: "... and you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways ..." (Luke 1:76) From the Liturgy's Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 86:5 "Mother Sion shall say that a man and that man was born in her; and the Highest Himself has established her forever." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 8:1-3 "... He went through every city and village preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 95:11,12,13 "Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar and the fulness thereof. Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord; for He cometh; for He cometh to judge the world with righteousness and the people with truth." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 3:28-35 "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Romans 9:6-33 "... those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of th promise are counted as the seed." Catholic Epistle: I John 2:24-3:3 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!" Praxis: Acts 7:8-22 "Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day ..." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint John Kama. In his youth, he was forced, by his parents, to marry. His wife and himself reached a mutual agreement to preserve their virginity; and each embraced monasticism. The Holy Theotokos and St. Athanasius, the apostle, appeared to him separately and blessed him. Psalm: 79:1,2,3 "Thou Who sits above the Cherubim; shine before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manaseh; come and save us. Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 1:57-80 "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people ..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Tobi Season : Nativity Tune : Jubilant (Festal) Theme of the Day: The Incarnate Logos Declares His Salvation to the Gentiles. Verse of the Day: "There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope." (Romans 15:12) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 46:1,2 "Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph; for the Lord Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 4:40-44 "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 92:1,2 "The Lord reigneth; He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself. Thy Throne is established of old; Thou art from everlasting." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 4:31-37 "And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Romans 15:4-19 "... that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: 'For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles ..'" Catholic Epistle: I John 3:1-11 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!" Praxis: Acts 14:24-15:3 "... they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Theonas, the 16th Patriarch of Alexandria. He excommunicated the heretic, Sabellius, who taught that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are One Person. + Martyrdom of Saint Callinicus the bishop. Psalm: 97:2,3 "The Lord hath made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He openly shown in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23 "... that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Tobi Season : Nativity Tune : Jubilant (Festal) Theme of the Day: The Incarnate Logos Declares His Salvation to the Gentiles. Verse of the Day: "There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope." (Romans 15:12) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 46:1,2 "Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph; for the Lord Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 4:40-44 "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 92:1,2 "The Lord reigneth; He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself. Thy Throne is established of old; Thou art from everlasting." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 4:31-37 "And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Romans 15:4-19 "... that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: 'For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles ..'" Catholic Epistle: I John 3:1-11 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!" Praxis: Acts 14:24-15:3 "... they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Theonas, the 16th Patriarch of Alexandria. He excommunicated the heretic, Sabellius, who taught that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are One Person. + Martyrdom of Saint Callinicus the bishop. Psalm: 97:2,3 "The Lord hath made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He openly shown in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23 "... that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Sunday of Tobi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Active Faith, through Love, in the Son of God. Verse of the Day: "My little children, let us not not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (I John 3:18) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 97:3,9 "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. With righteousness shall He judge the world and the people with equity." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36 "Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of God.'" MATINS: _______ Psalm: 96:1,2 "The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about Him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His Throne." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 3:7-12 "And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, 'You are the Son of God.'" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Galatians 5:2-10 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." Catholic Epistle: I John 3:18-24 "And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment." Praxis: Acts 15:22-29 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols ..." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Abraham, the close friend of Abba George. He was a disciple of Saint John, the priest. He was an ascetic who mortified his body with severe fasting and worship. One day, the roof of his cell cracked and the Lord Jesus appeared to him on a Cherubic chariot. Psalm: 83:7;64:2 "For the Law-giver will grant blessings. They go from strength to strength. O Thou that hearest prayer; unto Thee shall all flesh come." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 11:27-36 "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Sunday of Tobi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Lord Jesus Establishes the Sacrament of Baptism. Verse of the Day: "And they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified-behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!'" (John 3:26) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 76:12,13 "And Thy lightnings have lightened the world; the earth was shaken and it trembled. In the sea are Thy byways and Thy paths in many waters." Alleluia! Gospel: John 5:1-18 "When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?'" MATINS: _______ Psalm: 96:6,4 "The heavens declared His righteousness and all the peoples saw His glory. His lightning have shone forth throughout the world; the earth saw it and was shaken." Alleluia! Gospel: John 3:1-21 "Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Hebrews 10:19-39 "... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Catholic Epistle: I John 4:11-21 "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." Praxis: Acts 2:38-45 "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Philotheus (Lover of God). Once his parents gave a feast and ordered Philotheus to offer incense to their calf. He refused and was finally executed by Diocletian. + Repose of Saint John, the 48th Patriarch of Alexandria. Psalm: 65:12,8 "We went through fire and water and Thou didst bring us out into refreshment. O bless our God, ye nations, and make the voice of the praise to be heard." Alleluia! Gospel: John 3:22-36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Tobi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Faith and enlightenment in Lord Jesus Christ. Verse of the Day: "Do you believe in the Son of God?" (John 9:35) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 77:20,23 "Because He smote a rock and waters streamed forth; and the torrents overflowed; and He commanded the clouds from above and opened the doors of heaven." Alleluia! Gospel: John 5:31-46 "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 79:7,18 "O Lord of hosts; make us to return and cause Thy face to shine and we shall be saved; and we will not depart from Thee; Thou shalt quicken us and we will call upon Thy Name." Alleluia! Gospel: John 6:47-58 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Romans 11:13-36 "Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear." Catholic Epistle: I John 5:9-21 "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." Praxis: Acts 11:2-18 "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Timothy, the apostle. He was Saint Paul's disciple. He was selected for the bishopric office at Ephesus. He was beaten to death by the Jews and Greeks. + Repose of Saint Cyril IV, 110th Patriarch of Alexandria. Psalm: 35:9,10 "For in Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them that know Thee and Thy righteousness unto the upright of heart." Alleluia! Gospel: John 9:1-38 "And Jesus said to him, 'You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fifth Sunday of Tobi Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Faith in Lord Jesus Christ the Incarnate Son of God. Verse of the Day: "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 14:1-3 "O Lord, who shall sojourn in Thy tabernacle? And who shall dwell in Thy holy mountain? He that walks blamelessly; who speaks truth in his heart." Alleluia! Gospel: John 4:46-53 "Then Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.'" MATINS: _______ Psalm: 23:3,4 "Who shall go up to the mountain of the Lord; and who shall stand in His holy place? He that is innocent in his hands and pure in his heart." Alleluia! Gospel: John 3:17-21 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Hebrews 7:1-17 "For He testifies: 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'" Catholic Epistle: II John 1-13 "For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh." Praxis: Acts 18:9-21 "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you ..." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saints Pistis, Helpis, Agape and their mother, Sophia. The meanings of their names are: Faith, Hope, Charity (Love), and Wisdom. Their mother encouraged them to endure torture until they were all beheaded. Psalm: 95:6,7 "Bring to the Lord, ye families of the Gentiles, bring to the Lord glory and honor. Bring to the Lord the glory due to His Name. Take offerings and go into His courts. Worship the Lord in His holy courts." Alleluia! Gospel: John 6:5-14 "Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, 'This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: ***** After conferring with Father Bishoy George of The church in Houston and Father Antonios Henin of Virgin Mary Church in L.A.: A rule says that if the Fifth Sunday of Tubi is the Sunday before Nineveh's Fast, the Readings should be those of the Pre-lent Sunday. Here they are. Sunday Fifth Sunday of Tobi Falling As the Sunday before Nineveh's Fast Season : Annual, Pre-Nineveh's Fast Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Forgiving, Searching the Inner Self, and Struglling, All Combined with Humility. Verse of the Day: "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'" (Luke 17:10) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 45:10 "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 11:22-26 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 99:2,3 "Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with rejoicing. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 17:3-10 "If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: II Corinthians 11:16-28 "... in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness ..." Catholic Epistle: II Peter 1:1-11 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." Praxis: Acts 21:15-26 "And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saints Pistis, Helpis, Agape and their mother, Sophia. The meanings of their names are: Faith, Hope, Charity (Love), and Wisdom. Their mother encouraged them to endure torture until they were all beheaded. Psalm: 2:11,10 "Serve ye the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him with trembling. And now, O ye kings, understand; be instructed, all ye that judge the earth." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 6:1-18 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place ..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Mechir Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Seeking Lord Jesus Christ for Spiritual Needs. Verse of the Day: "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you ..." (John 6:27) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 81:8,6 "Arise, O God, judge the earth; for Thou shalt have an inheritance among all nations. I said: Ye are gods and all of you, the sons of the Most High." Alleluia! Gospel: John 6:15-21 "Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to a mountain by Himself alone." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 118:105,135 "Thy law is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant and teach me Thy statues." Alleluia! Gospel: John 8:51-59 "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Corinthians 5:11-6:11 "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived." Catholic Epistle: II Peter 3:14-18 "... but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Praxis: Acts 9:3-9 "'Lord, what do you want me to do?' ... 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'" Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Alexander, 43rd Patriarch of Alexandria. Once the Muslim ruler forced the Saint and the faithful to draw the sign of the Beast on their forearms. The Saint prayed to the Lord to deliver them from that temptation. He reposed five days later. + Repose of Saint Teodore, 45th Patriarch of Alexandria. Psalm: 95:6,4 "Praise and beauty are before Him; Holiness and Majesty are in His sanctuary; for great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods." Alleluia! Gospel: John 6:22-27 "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate pf the loaves and were filled." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Paoni ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Sunday of Paoni Season : Apostles' Fast Tune : Annual Abstinence Theme of the Day: The Power of the Holy Spirit. Verse of the Day: "And the power of the Lord was present to heal them." (Luke 5:17) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 15:7,8 "I will bless the Lord Who hath given me understanding; moreover, even till night have my reins instructed me. I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand that I might not be shaken." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 4:38-41 "So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 33:1,2 "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul boast; let the meek hear and be glad." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 16:3-8 "He is risen! He is not here." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Corinthians 2:6-16 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." Catholic Epistle: II Peter 1:1-8 "... as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue ..." Praxis: Acts 14:8-22 "Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, 'Stand up straight on your feet!' And he leaped and walked." Synexarion: + Commemoration of the Archangel Gabriel. He revealed to Daniel the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. + Repose of Saint John, the bishop of Jerusalem. Psalm: 12:6,5 "I will sing unto the Lord, Who is my benefactor, and I will chant unto the Name of the Lord Most High. But as for me, I have hoped in Thy mercy. My heart will rejoice in Thy salvation." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 5:17-26 "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins ..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday Third Sunday of Paoni Season : Apostles' Fast Tune : Annual Abstinence Theme of the Day: The Faith in the Holy Spirit. Verse of the Day: "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men." (matthew 12:31) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 6:1;37:15 "Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger nor chasten me in Thy wrath. For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken unto me, O Lord my God." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 37:21,22 "Forsake me not, O Lord my God; depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord, of my salvation." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Corinthians 4:1-16 "Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." Catholic Epistle: II Peter 1:19-2:9 "... for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." Praxis: Acts 17:1-12 "... they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily ..." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Elisha, the prophet. He was the servant of Elijah, the prophet. He prayed to have a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Psalm: 60:5,8 "For Thou, O God, hast heard my prayers; Thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear Thy Name. So will I chant unto Thy Name unto the ages of ages; that I may pay my vows from day to day." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 12:22-37 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Paoni Season : Apostles' Fast Tune : Annual Abstinence Theme of the Day: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Verse of the Day: "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." (Matthew 5:41) From the Vespers' Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 83:8,5 "O Lord of hosts, hearken unto my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; unto ages of ages shall they praise Thee." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 5:34-48 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you, and persecute you ..." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 60:5,8 "For Thou, O God, hast heard my prayers; Thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear Thy Name. So will I chant unto Thy Name unto the ages of ages; that I may pay my vows from day to day." Alleluia! Gospel: John 20:1-18 "Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him, 'Rabboni!'" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Colosians 4:2-18 "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Catholic Epistle: James 5:9-20 "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience." Praxis: Acts 18:1-11 "Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Ananias, one of the seventy-two disciples and the ordained bishop of Damascus. He baptized Saint Paul. He was tortured and stoned by prince Lokianos. + Martyrdom of Saint Thomas of Shentalet. He was twenty-one-years old. Psalm: 68:37,38,35 "Seek after God and your soul shall live. For the Lord hath hearkened unto the poor. I will praise the Name of my God with an ode; I will magnify Him with praise." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Sunday of Abib Season : Apostles' Fast Tune : Annual Abstinence Theme of the Day: Jesus Christ Sends out His Disciples and Apostles. Verse of the Day: "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." (Luke 10:2) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 19:7,9 "Now have I known that the Lord hath saved His anointed one; He will hearken unto him out of His holy heaven. O Lord, save the king and hearken unto us in the day when we call upon Thee." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 9:1-6 "He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 30:23,19 "O love ye the Lord all ye His saints; for the Lord requireth truth. How great is the multitude of Thy Goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast hid for them that fear Thee." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 28:1-20 "Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Corinthians 9:1-27 "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." Catholic Epistle: I Peter 1:1-12 "To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit ..." Praxis: Acts 5:12-21 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the the words of this life." Synexarion: + Translocation of the holy relics of Saints Apakir and John. An angel appeared to Saint Cyril of Alexandria and ordered him to remove the holy relics from the Church of Saint Mark in Southern Alexandria to the other Church of Saint Mark by the sea. Psalm: 88:7 "God, Who is glorified in the council of the saints, is great and terrible towards all that are round about Him." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 10:1-20 "Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Second Sunday of Epip Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Jesus Christ Advises His Disciples and Apostles. Verse of the Day: "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 127:1,6 "Blessed are all they that fear the Lord; that walk in His ways. The Lord bless thee out of Sion and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 16:1-18 "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 40:1,2 "Blessed is the man that hath understanding for the poor and the needy; in an evil day the Lord will deliver him. May the Lord keep him and make him to live; and make him blessed upon the earth." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 16:2-8 "But go and tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Galatians 1:1-24 "For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Chirst." Catholic Epistle: Jude 14-25 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God ..." Praxis: Acts 5:19-23 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the the words of this life." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saints John and Simeon. When Saint John was a young boy, he used to distribute his food among other shepherds. + Repose of Saint Isaiah, the hermit. Psalm: 118:1,2 "Blessed are the blameless in the way; who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that search out His testimonies; with their whole heart shall they seek after Him." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 18:1-9 "And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them.." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Sunday of Epip Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Christ Shows His Apostles, Prctically, How to Act. Verse of the Day: "Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude." (Luke 9:16) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 51:9,8 "I will wait on Thy Name for It is good before Thy saints. I have hoped in the mercy of God forever and unto the ages of ages." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 14:7-15 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place ..." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 134:1,2 "Praise ye the Name of the Lord; O ye servants, praise the Lord. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord; in the courts of the house of our God." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee ..." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Timothy 6:3-16 "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... he is proud ..." Catholic Epistle: James 3:1-12 "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." Praxis: Acts 18:12-23 "... he departed and went over all the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint James the Apostle and Bishop of Jrusalem, known as "the Lord's Brother". He was ordained Bishop by the holy Apostles. He was beaten to death by the Jews. Psalm: 144:18,19 "Righteous is the Lord in all His ways and Holy in all His works. The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon Him; to all that call on Him in truth." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 9:10-17 "But He said to them, 'You give them something to eat.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Epip Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Christ Shows His Apostles His Power for their Faith. Verse of the Day: "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 58:10,19 "Thou, O God, art my helper. As for my God, His mercy shall go before me. Thou art my helper; unto Thee will I chant, O God." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 7:1-10 "But say the word, and my servant will be healed." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 85:11,12 "I will confess Thee, O God, my God, with all my heart and I will glorify Thy Name forever; for great is Thy mercy upon me and Thou hast delivered my soul." Alleluia! Gospel: John 20:1-18 "... but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'" LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Philippians 1:27-2:11 "... and that every tong should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Catholic Epistle: I Peter 1:25-2:10 "Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious [stone]; but to those who are disobedient, ... 'a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.'" Praxis: Acts 19:11-22 "This became known ... and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Anthony. + Martyrdom of Saint Domatius, the Syrian. + Martyrdom of Saint Abba Isaac. + Martyrdom of Saints Thekla and Mouji. + Martyrdom of Saint Apakragon. + Repose of Saint Palamon. + Repose of Saint Hilaria. + Repose of Saint Thecla. + Consecration of the Church of Saint Mercurius. Psalm: 39:5,16 "O Lord my God, Thou hast multiplied Thy wonderful works and in Thy thoughts there is none who shall be likened to Thee; and let them that love Thy salvation continually say: The Lord be magnified." Alleluia! Gospel: John 11:1-45 "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Sunday of Mesori Season : Virgin Mary's Fast Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Christ Cares for His Church and Its Shepherds. Verse of the Day: "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." (Mark 6:50) From the Vespers' Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 32:22,18 "Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us according as we have hoped in Thee. Behold the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear Him; upon them that hope in His mercy." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 6:45-56 "And about the fourth watch of the night He came to them walking on the sea ..." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 32:20,21 "Our soul shall wait for the Lord; for He is our helper and our defender. For our heart shall be glad in Him and in His Holy Name have we hoped." Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 28:1-20 "... and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Corinthians 9:1-27 "Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel." Catholic Epistle: I Peter 3:8-15 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers ..." Praxis: Acts 19:23-41 "And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way." Synexarion: + Repose of Saint Paesa. She was a daughter of wealthy pious parents. Wicked people convinced her to use her house for sinful occasions. She repented by the preaching of Saint John, the hegumen. Psalm: 79:15,16 "O God of hosts, return again, and look down from heaven and behold and visit this vine and perfect that which Thy right hand hath planted." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 20:9-19 "He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Sunday of Mesori Season : Virgin Mary's Fast Tune : Adam Abstinence Theme of the Day: Christ Cares for the Weak Members of His Church. Verse of the Day: "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:16) From the Vespers' Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 118:145,146 "I have cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord. I have cried unto Thee; save me, and I will keep Thy testimonies." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 18:9-17 "Also He spoke this parable to some that trusted in themselves and despised others:" MATINS: _______ Psalm: 88:1,2 "Of Thy mercies, O Lord, will I sing forever. Unto generation and generation will I declare Thy truth with my mouth. For Thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up forever. In the heavens shall Thy truth be established." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 16:2-8 "But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away- for it was very large." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Ephesians 6:1-23 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." Catholic Epistle: I John 2:7-17 "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now." Praxis: Acts 20:1-12 "But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, 'Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.'" Synexarion: + Martyrdom of Saint Ari, the priest of Shetanouf. He was distinguished by his great piety. He refused to offer incense to idols. The governer tortured him; and in due course he was beheaded. Psalm: 88:5,14,15 "The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and Thy truth in the congregation of the saints. Blessed is the people that knows jubilation and in the light of Thy face shall they walk." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 5:27-39 "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Sunday of Mesori Season : Memory of Virgin Mary's Assumption Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Christ Clarifies Matters of Faith to His Church. Verse of the Day: "... but who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness." (Mark 3:29) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 5:6,11 "But as for me, in the multitude of Thy mercy, shall I go into Thy house. I shall worship toward Thy Holy Temple; and let all them be glad that hope in Thee; they shall ever rejoice." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 11:27-36 "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 14:1,2 "O Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? And who shall dwell in Thy holy mountain? He that walketh blameless and worketh righteousness; speaking truth in his heart." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee ..." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: Romans 16:17-20 "I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil." Catholic Epistle: I Peter 2:18-3:7 "Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning ... but let it be the hidden person of the heart ..." Praxis: Acts 21:8-14 "Then Paul, answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die ...'" Synexarion: + Commemotion of the assumption of the Theotokos. After her reposal and burial, Saint Thomas witnessed the angles ascending with her holy body; and he informed the apostles of what he had seen. + Repose of Saint Mattias IV, 102nd Patriarch of Alexandria. Psalm: 27:2,7,6 "Hearken, O Lord, unto my supplications when I pray unto Thee. The Lord is my helper and my defender. Blessed is the Lord because he hath heard the voice of my supplication." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 3:22-35 "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Sunday of Mesori Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Christ Exhorts His Church to Watch and Pray. Verse of the Day: "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13:37) VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 118:169,176 "Let my supplication draw nigh before Thee, O Lord; according to Thine oracle give me understanding. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek Thy servant, for I have not forgotten Thy commandments." Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 17:20-37 "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were give in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 89:1,2 "Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation and generation. Before the mountains came to be and the earth was formed and the world, Thou art." Alleluia! Gospel: John 20:1-18 "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Thessalonians 2:13-3:13 "... so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." Catholic Epistle: James 4:7-5:5 "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." Praxis: Acts 11:19-30 "... he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord." Synexarion: + Martyrdom of thirty thousand in Alexandria, during the reign of Marcian. When king Marcian deposed Abba Dioscorus and appointed a Chalcedonian in his place, this led to unrest among all the bishops of Egypt. The king then sent his soldiers and slew 30,000 Christians. Psalm: 88:11,12&13 "Thine are the heavens and Thine is the earth; the world and the fullness thereof hast Thou founded; the north and the sea hast Thou created. Thine is the arm that hath might." Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 13:3-37 "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fifth Sunday of Mesori Season : Annual Tune : Adam Theme of the Day: Christ Blesses and Fills the Spiritual Hunger. Verse of the Day: "So they all ate and were filled." (Mark 6:42) From the Matins' Gospel. VESPERS: ________ Psalm: 92:3 "The floods have lifted up, O Lord; the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves than the noise of many waters." Alleluia Gospel: Matthew 14:15-21 "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." MATINS: _______ Psalm: 96:11,12 "Light is sprung forth for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice, in the Lord, O ye righteous, and give thanks to the remembrance of His Holiness." Alleluia Gospel: Mark 6:35-44 "... He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them ..." LITURGY: ________ Pauline Epistle: I Corinthians 14:18-25 "... yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tong." Catholic Epistle: James 5:1-8 "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." Praxis: Acts 24:1-9 "For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." Synaxarion: + Repose of Malachi, the prophet. He prophecied about the return of Israel from captivity, the coming of the forerunner Saint John the Baptist, and the coming of Elijah towards the end of age. Psalm: 142:6,7 "I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord, for my spirit fainteth." Alleluia Gospel: Luke 9:12-17 "So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------