Daily Reading:

Friday July 16/29th
6th Week After Pentecost
Fast Day

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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

1 Corinthians 4:5-8

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

Matthew 13:44-54

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Jesus saith unto them, "Have ye understood all these things?" They say unto Him, Yea, Lord. Then said He unto them, "Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. " And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed thence. And when He was come into his own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

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HOLY HIEROMARTYR ATHENOGENES, BISHOP OF PIDAHTHOE, AND HIS TEN DISCIPLES
HOLY MARTYR HELIER

Troparion of St Athenogenes Tone 3
Thou wast an anointed priest and a martyr of God the Word,/ O Athenogenes;/ thou wast steadfast in contest and didst offer thy ten disciples to Him./ With them pray to Christ our God/ that we may be granted His great mercy and forgiveness.

Troparion of St Helier Tone 5
O glorious St Helier,/ thou didst labour for Christ on the Isle of Jersey,/ in fasting, vigil and prayer./ Thou didst leave thy rock to convert pirates when they landed,/ and so obtain the crown of victory./ O valiant Martyr, we praise God Who has glorified thee.

Kontakion of St Athenogenes Tone 4
Thou didst follow the Lord's teaching, O Athenogenes,/and as a shepherd lay down thy life for thy flock./ We praise thee and thy ten disciples,/ who under thy guidance and in fear of God suffered with thee./ The Lord has crowned you as Saints/ with His life-giving hand./ Pray to Him for us all, O holy Hieromartyr.

13 - 19
SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE SEVEN ECUMENICAL COUNCILS

Troparion Tone 8
Glorious art Thou, O Christ our God/ Who hast established our holy fathers as stars on earth./ Through them Thou dost guide us to the True Faith./ O Most Merciful One, glory to Thee.

Kontakion Tone 8
The preaching of the Apostles and the doctrine of the Fathers confirmed the one faith in the Church./ In the garment of truth woven from theology on high she rightly divides and glorifies true piety.