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Daily Readings
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Saturday, 17th March 2012 --- 8 Baramhat 1728
Readings for Saturday of fourth week of Great Lent
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 142 : 5,7
Chapter 142
| 5 | I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
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| 7 | Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me."
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Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Matins Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Luke 16 : 19 - 31
Chapter 16
| 19 | "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
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| 20 | But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
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| 21 | desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
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| 22 | So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
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| 23 | And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
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| 24 | "Then he cried and said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'
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| 25 | But Abraham said, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
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| 26 | And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
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| 27 | "Then he said, "I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house,
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| 28 | for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.'
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| 29 | Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'
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| 30 | And he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
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| 31 | But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."'
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And Glory be to God forever.
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Liturgy Gospel
Paulines Epistle
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Philippians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Philippians 4 : 4 - 9
Chapter 4
| 4 | Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
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| 5 | Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
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| 6 | Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
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| 7 | and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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| 8 | Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
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| 9 | The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
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The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
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Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle of St. James .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
James 3 : 13 - end
Chapter 3
| 13 | Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
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| 14 | But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
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| 15 | This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
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| 16 | For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
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| 17 | But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
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| 18 | Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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James 4 : 1 - 6
Chapter 4
| 1 | Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
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| 2 | You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
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| 3 | You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
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| 4 | Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
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| 5 | Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
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| 6 | But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
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Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Amen.
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Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 24 : 24 - end
Chapter 24
| 24 | And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
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| 25 | Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."
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| 26 | Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
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| 27 | But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
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Acts 25 : 1 - 12
Chapter 25
| 1 | Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
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| 2 | Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him,
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| 3 | asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem--while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.
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| 4 | But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.
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| 5 | "Therefore," he said, "let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him."
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| 6 | And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought.
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| 7 | When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove,
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| 8 | while he answered for himself, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all."
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| 9 | But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?"
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| 10 | So Paul said, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.
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| 11 | For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar."
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| 12 | Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!"
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The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
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Synaxarium
Day 8 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baramhat, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.
The Eighth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Martyrdom of St.Matthias, the Apostle
On this day St. Matthias, the
apostle was martyred about 63 A.D. He was born in Bethlehem, followed the
apostles and was chosen in place of Judas Iscariot in the upper room on
the mount of Zion. Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether
the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and
brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke
before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those
who arrested Jesus; "for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in
this ministry." (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity;
and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails
gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so
that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of
Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his habitation be
desolate, and let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'
"Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the
Lord Jesus went in and out among us, "beginning from the baptism of John
to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness
with us of His resurrection." And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas,
who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You,
O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
"to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression
fell, that he might go to his own place." And they cast their lots, and
the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
(Acts 1:15-26)
Afterwards he was filled with
the Holy Spirit, and went to preach the Gospel until he came to the country
of cannibals. The custom of those people was whenever they seized a stranger,
they put him in prison for thirty days feeding him grass, then they bring
him out and eat him. When St.Matthias came to them and preached among them
the massage of love they seized him, plucked out his eyes and put him in
prison. Before the thirty days were over God sent to him Andrew the apostle
and his disciple. They came to the prison and saw the prisoners and what
abominable things the people of the city did to them. Satan inspired the
people of the city to seize them also and kill them. When they were about
to seize them, the two Saints prayed to the Lord, and a stream of water
flowed from under one of the pillar of the prison. The water flowed out
into the city, and rose up until it reached the necks of the people. When
the people of the city gave up all hope of saving their lives, they came
to the apostles, and wept before them confessing their sins. The apostles
told them "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." They
all believed and they released St. Matthias. St. Matthias, along with St.
Andrew and his disciple taught them the mystery of the Incarnation of the
Lord Christ. The Apostles prayed and entreated God Who made the water to
cease then they baptized them in the Name of the Holy Trinity. They also
prayed to The Lord Christ Who removed from them their barbaric nature.
The Apostles appointed over them bishops and priests.
They tarried with them for a while
during which they instructed them and confirmed them in the faith, then
they left. The people of the city entreated them to come back to them speedily.
St. Matthias went to the city of Damascus and preached there in the Name
of the Lord Christ. The people of the city became angry so they took him
and laid him upon an iron bed, they lighted a fire under it which did not
harm him but his face was shining with light like the sun. They marvelled
exceedingly and they all believed on the Lord Christ through St. Matthias
the apostle who baptized them, and appointed priests for them. He tarried
many days with them confirming them in the faith. Afterward he departed
in peace in one of the city of the jews called Falawon (Pilawon) where
his body was laid.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Julian, the Eleventh
Pope of Alexandria
On this day also of the
year 188 A.D. (3rd of march) the holy father Pope Julian the Eleventh Pope
of Alexandria departed. This father was a student in the seminary established
by St. Mark, and was ordained priest in the city of Alexandria. He surpassed
many in knowledge, righteousness, and purity so he was ordained Patriarch
on the 9th of Baramhat (Year 178 A.D.) After his enthronement he saw that
the pagans did not allow the bishops to leave the city of Alexandria, so
he used to leave the city in secret to ordain priests everywhere. Before
his departure the angel of the lord announced to him that the one who will
bring him a cluster of grapes, is the one to succeed him on the Patriarchal
Chair. One day, while Demetrius the vine dresser was trimming his trees,
he found a cluster of grapes and was not in season. He took the cluster
and gave it to the Patriarch Abba Julian who was pleased with the present.
He gathered the bishops and told them about the vision and commanded them
to enthrone him Patriarch after him. This father composed many homilies
and discourses, he taught the people continually, preached and visited
them. He stayed on the Apostolic Chair for ten years then departed in peace.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Arianus, the Governor
of Ansena
On this day also St. Arianus,
the governor of Ansena was martyred. When he ordered to shoot St. Apollonius
with arrows, and one of the arrows glanced back and struck his eye and
destroyed it, as it is mentioned in the Seventh day of Baramhat, one of
the believers told him: "If you take some of his blood and smear your eye
with it, you will receive your sight." The Governor took some of his blood,
smeared his eye, and immediately he was able to see. Arianus believed on
the Lord Christ, with great sorrow for all the evil things which he had
done to the holy martyrs and the severity with which he tortured them.
Then he rose up, destroyed his idols, and he refrained from torturing any
of the believers. When Diocletian heard the report of Arianus, he brought
him, and asked him why he had forsaken the worship of his idols. Arianus
began to tell him about the signs and wonders which God was working by
the hands of the holy martyrs, and how, in spite of the tortures which
he had inflicted upon them, and the cutting of their bodies, they rose
up again whole. The Emperor became furious with him because of what he
said and ordered him to be tortured severely, and to cast him into a pit
and to cover it until he dies.
The Lord Christ sent His
angel, who brought him out from the pit, and took him by the bed of the
Emperor. The Emperor woke up from his sleep, and when he saw and recognized
that he was Arianus, he was amazed and terrified. Diocletian again ordered
him to be placed into a hair sack, and to cast him into the sea, so they
did. Arianus the martyr delivered up his soul while he was in the hair
sack. The Saint had told his kinsfolk when he bid them farewell that the
Lord had told him in a vision of the night that He would take care of his
body, return it to his town, and they could find it on the shore of Alexandria.
The Lord ordered a sea creature who carried the Saint, and brought him
to the city of Alexandria, where it casted him on the shore. His men took
his body, brought it to Ansena, and laid it with the bodies of the Saints
Philemon and Apollonius. Thus, he finished his good fight and received
the heavenly crown.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
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Divine Psalm
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 61 : 1,5
Chapter 61
| 1 | Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.
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| 5 | For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
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Hallelujah.
Divine Gospel
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 21 : 33 - 45
Chapter 21
| 33 | "Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
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| 34 | Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.
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| 35 | And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.
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| 36 | Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.
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| 37 | Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son.'
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| 38 | But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'
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| 39 | So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.
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| 40 | "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?"
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| 41 | They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."
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| 42 | Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?
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| 43 | "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
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| 44 | And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."
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| 45 | Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.
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And Glory be to God forever.
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Acknowledgement
Opening page