+ + + + + + + + + Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Thursday, January 15, 2015 Feasts and Saints celebrated today: Paul of Thebes John the Hut-Dweller Pansophios the Martyr of Alexandria Readings for today: St. Pauls Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2 Luke 12:32-40 Paul of Thebes Reading from the Synaxarion: Saint Paul, first among hermits, was born about 227 in the Thebaid of Egypt. In 250 he fled into the wilderness because of the persecution raging at that time under Decius. Having lived a solitary life in a certain cave for ninety-one years, he reposed in 341, at the age of 114, and was buried by Anthony the Great, who had been directed thither by God several days before the Saints repose. Apolytikion of Paul of Thebes in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O Paul, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls. Kontakion of Paul of Thebes in the Fourth Tone O ye faithful, let us all laud the divine Paul, the bright luminary that shone at the virtues lofty height; and let us joyously cry aloud: O Christ, Thou art the rejoicing of all the Saints. The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder: Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA Apolytikion of Paul of Thebes (c) Narthex Press Kontakion of Paul of Thebes (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA John the Hut-Dweller Reading from the Synaxarion: Saint John, who was from Constantinople, was the son of illustrious parents -- Eutropius the Senator and Theodora. At twelve years of age he departed secretly from his home and went to the Monastery of the Unsleeping (see Dec. 29). Aflame with longing for his parents, he returned after six years to his fathers home in the guise of a pauper and beggar. Living in a small hut at the gates of his parents house (wherefrom he is called hut-dweller), he remained unknown therein for many years, and suffered mockery at the hands of those who had been his own servants. Foreknowing his death, he revealed himself to his parents, and within a few moments reposed, about the year 450. Apolytikion of John the Hut-Dweller in the Fourth Tone Since thou hadst with fervour longed after the Lord from thy youth, * thou leftest the world with its delights and nobly didst strive in valiant ascetic deeds. * Thou didst pitch thy hut before the gates of thy parents; * thou didst break the demons snares, O all-blessed Father. * And therefore, as is meet, hath Christ God glorified thee, O John. Kontakion of John the Hut-Dweller in the Second Tone Since thou didst desire a poverty like unto Christs, O wise Father John, thou didst forsake thy parents wealth; and while holding in thy hands the most holy Gospel, O righteous one, thou didst follow after Christ God while ceaselessly praying to Him for us all. The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder: Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA Apolytikion of John the Hut-Dweller (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA Kontakion of John the Hut-Dweller (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA Prayer Before Reading Scripture Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered all sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Epistle Reading The reading is from St. Pauls Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2 Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Gospel Reading The reading is from Luke 12:32-40 The Lord said, Fear not, little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; fo r the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:35:24 +0000