Daily Reading:

Monday September 27th/October 10th
17th Week After Pentecost

+ + +

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

+ + +

Monday

LITURGY

Ephesians 1:22-2:3

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Mark 10:46-52

And they came to Jericho: and as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

+ + +

HOLY MARTYR CALLISTRATUS

AND THE FORTY NINE HOLY MARTYRS WITH HIM

ST SABBATIUS OF SOLOVIETSK
ST BARROG

Troparion of St Callistratus Tone 3
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit thou wast glorious in contest/ and didst cast down the enemy, O Martyr Callistratus./ And thou dost offer a noble army of athletes/ as incense to Christ./ With them pray for us who praise thee with hymns.

Troparion of St Sabbatius of Solovietsk Tone 3
Thou didst abandon the world and fight the good fight/ by hardship, vigil and prayer./ Pray to Christ our God to save our souls, O holy Father Sabbatius.

Troparion of St Barrog Tone 8
Light of the West, inspirer of monastics and boast of ascetics,/ thy radiant life was pleasing to God, O Father Barrog./ Do not reject us in our pitiable state but pray, O Saint,/ that repenting and weeping we may be found worthy of a place in Christ's holy Kingdom.

Kontakion of St Callistratus Tone 4
Like stars you have shone upon the world/ and shed the light of contests and miracles on all who cry to you:/ Rejoice Callistratus with your company of fellow Martyrs.

Kontakion of St Sabbatius Tone 2
Fleeing the turmoil of life/ thou didst dwell on an island in the sea./ Thou didst take up thy cross and follow Christ/ and toil in vigils, fasting and hardships./ Thou hast become the adornment of the righteous/ and we lovingly celebrate thy memory./ Pray to Christ our God to save our souls, O righteous Sabbatius.

22-28
SATURDAY AFTER THE LEAVETAKING OF THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS: SYNAXIS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES

Troparion Tone 4
We bring to Thee in prayer, O Christ, great Anthony and the assembly of the God-bearing Fathers;/ they are a fiery Pillar and a brilliant sun shining from the Kievan Caves./ By their prayers grant grace to our monastery and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion Tone 2
Let us honour with praises the ascetic choir/ as we behold them with our minds and in spirit./ As we venerate their relics, let us bring gifts of love,/ for they pray to God for our souls.