Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53
At that time, having risen from the dead, Jesus went up and stood among His disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of broiled fish [and some honeycomb], and He took it and ate before them. Then He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name in all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the Temple blessing God.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8.
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
TODAY we are having a 5 Year Memorial for Evangelia Spiridoulias, wife of John (+), mother of Alexandra (Jeffrey) and Presbytera Eleni (Fr. Panteleimon); grandmother of Evangelia, Panagioti, Theodore, and Elianna.
May her memory be eternal!
1. Sunday before Epiphany
2. Holy Epiphany, January 6 -- Orthros @ 8:30 am and Divine Liturgy @ 9: 30 am, followed by the Great Agiasmos
Saint John the Baptist, January 7 -- Divine Liturgy @ 9 am
3. Bible Study will resume on January 14 with the Book of Revelation.
4. Philoptochos News
Did you know?
In March 1944, The Philoptochos Society purchased the 250-acre Rupert Estate in Garrison, New York, located on the shores of the Hudson River, directly across from the United States Military Academy at West Point. With that purchase and establishment of the Academy of St. Basil, Philoptochos undertook the lasting commitment to the children who reside there. TODAY, Philoptochos remains a significant financial supporter of the Academy through two ministry commitments:
Vasilopita: Held in January by every chapter in the United States, this event provides a major funding source for the Academy’s operating expenses.
Sisterhood: The Sisterhood Fund provides for the ongoing needs of the children of the Academy, such as clothing, furnishings, equipment, and other essentials for the dormitories and kitchen, as well as support for Graduation ceremonies and special awards for students.
NEXT SUNDAY as we celebrate Vasilopita Sunday together as a parish, please know that Philoptochos is grateful to the many parishioners who so generously participated in basket raffle drawing, coffee hour, and the monetary donations throughout the year that keep our chapter here at St. Luke able to contribute year after year to such a historic accomplishment founded by the Philoptochos ministry.
“God is everywhere. There is no place God is not…You cry out to Him, ‘Where art Thou, my God?’ And He answers, “I am present, my child! I am always beside you.’ Both inside and outside, above and below, wherever you turn, everything shouts, ‘God!’ In Him we live and move. We breathe God, we eat God, we clothe ourselves with God. Everything praises and blesses God. All of creation shouts His praise. Everything animate and inanimate speaks wondrously and glorifies the Creator. Let every breath praise the Lord!”
Saint Joseph the Hesychast
When the persecution of Diocletian broke out in 290, Saint Theopemptus, a bishop, was taken for his confession of Christ, and convicted Diocletian to his face for his error and ungodliness. Remaining unhurt after cruel tortures, he was given poison to drink, which had been prepared by a sorcerer named Theonas. Protected by divine grace from this also, he drew Theonas to Christ, and after other torments, was beheaded. Saint Theonas was cast into a pit and buried alive.