Daily Reading:

Tuesday November 24th/December 7th

28th Week After Pentecost

NATIVITY FAST

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

Illumine my heart, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open Thou the eyes of my mind to the understanding of Thy Gospel teachings. Implant also in me a love for Thy blessed commandments. Grant me the grace to overcome all my carnal desires, so that I may enter more completely into a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well pleasing to Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit; now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, open Thou the eyes of my heart, that I may hear Thy word and understand and do Thy will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth. Hide not Thy commandments from me, but open mine eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of Thy law. Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom. On Thee do I set my hope, O my God, that Thou shalt enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of Thy knowledge, not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them; that in reading the lives and sayings of the Saints I may not sin, but that such may serve for my restoration, enlightenment and sanctification, for the salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting. For Thou art the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from Thee cometh every good deed and every gift. Amen.

By the intercessions of Thine All-immaculate Mother and of all Thy Saints, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen

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Tuesday

LITURGY

2 Timothy 3:16-4:4

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Luke 19:45-48

And He went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, "It is written, 'My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.'" And He taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy Him, and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

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HOLY HIEROMARTYRS CLEMENT, BISHOP OF ROME AND PETER, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA
ST KENAN
ST COLMAN OF CLOYNE

Troparion of the Mother of God Tone 4
Today is the prelude of God's goodwill/ and the prophecy of the salvation of men./ The Virgin appears openly in the temple of God/ and foretells Christ to all./ So let us cry to her with loud voices:/ Rejoice, thou who art the fulfillment/ of the Creator's providence.

Troparion of the Hieromartyrs Tone 3
You were shown forth as trumpeters of divine knowledge/ and revealers of the ordinances of the Faith,/ Clement thou fruitful vine of life /and Peter firm rock of the faithful./ Since you are seers of ineffable mysteries deliver us from every harm.

Troparion of St Kenan Tone 1
As a witness to the steadfastness of the Faith of Christ,/ thou didst erect to His glory/ Ireland's first cathedral of stone, O Hierarch Kenan,/ where thou didst labour for the salvation of men's souls./ Wherefore, O Saint, pray that our labours may be blessed and bear fruit/ that many may be led into the Way of Salvation.

Troparion of St Colman of Cloyne Tone 8
Leaving thy post as bard of Cashel and embracing the monastic life, O Father Colman,/ thou didst employ thy God-given poetic talents teaching our holy and saving faith./ Therefore O Saint, pray to God that He would bestow again the gift of words/ that the Faith may be taught in these islands for the salvation of many souls.

Kontakion of the Feast Tone 4
The most pure Temple of the Saviour,/ the most precious bridal chamber and Virgin,/ the sacred treasury of the glories of God,/ today enters into the house of the Lord,/ bringing with her the grace that is the Divine Spirit./ And the Angels of God sing of her:/ This is the heavenly tabernacle.

Kontakion of the Hieromartyrs Tone 4
Unshakable divine towers of the Church,/ God-inspired and mighty pillars of piety:/ we praise you, Clement and Peter, guard us all by your intercessions.