Saturday

LITURGY

2 Timothy 2:11-19

     It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Luke 18:2-8

     Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Saturday after the Theophany.

LITURGY

Ephesians 6:10-17

     Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Matthew 4:1-11

     Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

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ST GREGORY, BISHOP OF NYSSA
ST DOMETIAN, BISHOP OF MYLITENA
ST MARCIAN THE PRESBYTER

Troparion of the Feast    Tone l

When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord,/ the worship of the Trinity made its appearance./ For the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee/ when He called Thee His beloved Son./ And the Spirit in the form of a dove/ confirmed the truth of the word./ O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world,/ glory to Thee!

Troparion of St Gregory of Nyssa    Tone 3

Thou hast shown forth thy watchfulness/ and wast a fervent preacher of godliness:/ by the wisdom of thy teachings thou dost gladden the Church's faithful./ Righteous Father Gregory,/ entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Troparion of St Dometian    Tone 4

Thou wast entrusted with the care of the flock of Christ,/ as one pure and filled with divine Light./ Thou didst adorn the vesture of thy priesthood with asceticism and many miracles./ Thou wast a foremost Hierarch of the Church,/ O righteous Father Dometian.

Troparion of St Marcian the Presbyter    Tone 4

Godly adornment of the righteous,/ thou art a steward of Christ's mysteries/ and a living temple of the light-creating Trinity:/ thou didst raise up churches to the glory of God, O Holy Marcian,/ and didst worthily attain to glory on high.

Kontakion of the Feast    Tone 4

Thou hast appeared today to the world,/ and Thy light, O Lord, has been signed upon us/ who with full knowledge sing to Thee./ Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared,/ O Unapproachable Light.

Kontakion of St Gregory    Tone 1

Watchful with the eyes of thy soul/ and a vigilant shepherd for the world,/ with wisdom and thy fervent intercession thou didst drive off heretics like wolves,/ keeping thy flock unharmed.

Kontakion of St Dometian    Tone 3

Dometian, adornment of Hierarchs,/ thou didst shine forth in Christ's Church/ as a vessel of the Holy Spirit./ By the grace of the priesthood/ all saw thee to be venerable by thy virtue.

Kontakion of St Marcian the Presbyter    Tone 2

Holy Marcian, thou didst live righteously on earth/ and wast a living vessel of divine Light./ Having blamelessly served the Lord as a priest,/ thou art rejoicing with the Angels in heaven.