Daily Reading:

Friday November 27th/December 10th

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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Friday

LITURGY

Titus 1:15-2:10

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Luke 20:19-26

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on Him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that He had spoken this parable against them. And they watched Him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked Him, saying, "Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?" But He perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, "Why tempt ye Me? Shew Me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it?" They answered and said, Caesar's. And He said unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." And they could not take hold of His words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer, and held their peace.

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ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF KURSK (MOTHER OF GOD OF THE SIGN)
GREAT MARTYR JAMES OF PERSIA
ST JAMES, BISHOP OF ROSTOV
ST SEACHNALL

Troparion of the Mother of God of Kursk Tone 4
Thou art an impregnable wall and a source of miracles/ enabling us to subdue enemy attacks, O Mother of God./ Wherefore we pray thee, grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.

Troparion of Great Martyr James of Persia Tone 4
James the Martyr and scion of Persia/ drowned the dragon in his blood by his contest:/ he was dismembered for the Faith/ and became the Saviour's trophy-bearer./ He intercedes unceasingly for our souls.

Troparion of St James, Bishop of Rostov Tone 4
Thou wast chosen of God from thy youth,/ and didst become a Hierarch shepherding God's people./ Wherefore after thy decease/ thou didst receive the gift of wonderworking to heal infirmities./ O Hierarch James, pray that we may magnify thee unceasingly.

Troparion of St Seachnall Tone 1
Today we hymn thee, O Hierarch Seachnall,/ for as thou in thy piety didst compose the praises of our Father Patrick,/ pray to God for us that we may, with true piety, honour our saints./ And in praising this glorious company may we be worthy of their prayers and the great mercy of Christ our God.

Kontakion of the Mother of God of Kursk Tone 8
We celebrate the venerable Icon of the Sign, most holy Mother of God,/ whereby thou didst grant thy city a wonderful victory over its enemies./ Wherefore we cry to thee with faith: Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of Christians.

Kontakion of Great Martyr James of Persia Tone 2
Thou didst listen to thy wife and consider the judgment/ O courageous James./ Thou didst spurn the threats and commands of the Persians/ and thy body was pruned like a vine./ We praise thee; O noble Martyr.

Kontakion of St James, Bishop of Rostov Tone 8
Thou wast a champion among bishops and of one rank with the Hierarchs, O holy James./ Preserve thy city, thy fatherland and people who honour thee and venerate thy sacred relics,/ that with one accord we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Hierarch James.