Daily Reading:
+ + +
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
+ + +
Saturday
LITURGY
1 Thessalonians 5:14-23
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 17:3-10
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
+ + +
ST PAUL OF THEBES
ST JOHN THE HUT-DWELLER
Troparion of St Paul of Thebes Tone 3
Inspired by the Spirit, thou wast the first to dwell in the desert,/ in emulation of Elijah the Zealot;/ as one like the Angels,/ thou wast made known to the world by St Anthony./ O righteous Paul, pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.
Troparion of St John the Hut-dweller Tone 4
Thou didst fervently long for the Lord from childhood,/ thou didst abandon the delights of the world and train as an ascetic./ Thou didst build thy hut at thy parents' gates/ and shatter the demon's snares./ Wherefore Christ has glorified thee, O blessed John.
Kontakion of St Paul of Thebes Tone 3
We gather today and praise thee with hymns/ as an unwaning ray of the spiritual sun;/ for thou didst shine on those in the darkness of ignorance,/ and lead all men to the heights/ holy Paul, adornment of Thebes,/ firm foundation of ascetics and fathers.
Kontakion of St John the Hut-dweller Tone 2
In longing for Christ-like poverty/ thou didst forsake thy parents' wealth, O John;/ thou didst follow Christ our God with the Gospel in thy hand,/ interceding unceasingly for us all.
Comments