Daily Reading:

Thursday January 7th/20th

SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS PROPHET AND FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST JOHN

34th Week After Pentecost

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Icon from: Xenia's Icons

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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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Thursday

LITURGY

Hebrews 7:1-6

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most
high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed
him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which
is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having
neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God;
abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom
even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that
are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a
commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their
brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is
not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the
promises.

Luke 21:28-33

"And when these things begin to
come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh. And He spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now
nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye
that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation
shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away:
but my words shall not pass away."

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SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS PROPHET AND FORERUNNER AND
BAPTIST JOHN

ST BRANNOCK OF BRAUNTON

Troparion of the Feast

Tone 1

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 the Forerunner

Tone 2

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise,/ but the Lord's
testimony is enough for thee, O Forerunner/ for thou wast shown to be more
wonderful than the Prophets/ since thou wast granted to baptize in the running
waters/ Him whom thou didst proclaim./ Then having endured great suffering for
the Truth,/ thou didst rejoice to bring, even to those in hell,/ the good
tidings that God Who had appeared in the flesh/ takes away the sin of the world/
and grants us the great mercy.

Troparion of St Brannock of Braunton

Tone 1

Righteous tutor of the children of Brychan and great wonderworker, O
Father Brannock,/ thou didst win many souls for Christ by thy tireless
endeavors./ As Braunton's church may yet hold thy precious relics,/ pray that
we, being ever mindful of our Orthodox heritage,/ may never deviate from the
true faith,/ and, thereby, receive the reward of the blest.

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 the Forerunner

Tone 6

Jordan turned back in fear at the sight of Thy bodily presence./ And
having fulfilled his prophetic ministry, John drew back trembling./ The Angelic
orders were amazed/ to see Thee in the flesh baptized in the waters./ And all in
darkness were illumined and praised Thee/ Who had appeared and enlightened all
creation.

Kontakion of St Brannock of Braunton

Tone 5

Returning to Wales from thy pilgrimage to the Apostles/ and thy witnessing
in Brittany, O Father Brannock,/ thou didst desire solitude for thy last days./
Miraculously sailing to Devon in a stone coffin,/ thou didst find Braunton
pleasing to God./ Wherefore we praise Him for His great mercy and sing hymns,/
keeping festival to glorify and venerate thy most holy memory.

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