Daily Reading:

Tuesday April 26th/May 9th

Third Week of Pascha

HOLY HIEROMARTYR BASILEOS, BISHOP OF AMASEA
ST STEPHEN, FIRST BISHOP OF PERM

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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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Tuesday

LITURGY

Acts 8:5-17

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

John 6:27-33

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

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HOLY HIEROMARTYR BASILEOS, BISHOP OF AMASEA
ST STEPHEN, FIRST BISHOP OF PERM

Troparion of St Basileos Tone 4
As a minister of the King of glory thou didst withstand the lawless king,/ O blessed and glorious Hieromartyr Basileos./ When thou wast beheaded/ thou didst enter the heavenly mansions rejoicing./ Pray that we who celebrate thy memory may be found worthy of like reward.

Troparion of St Stephen Tone 4
Aflame with divine desire from childhood,/ thou didst take Christ's yoke, O wise Stephen./ Thou didst sow the seed in a hardened people grown old in unbelief/ and give birth to them in the Gospel./ Venerating thee, we pray:/ Entreat Him Whom thou didst proclaim,/ that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St Basileos Tone 4
O Basileos, by defying the emperor's decree/ thou didst obtain the kingdom of heaven;/ remember us who faithfully celebrate thy memory while thou art rejoicing there.

Kontakion of St Stephen Tone 8
Thou wast found to be a Hierarch to those who sought thee not./ Thou didst free thy people from idols and bring them to the Faith of Christ./ Thou didst shame the sorcerer Pansotnik and become first bishop and teacher of Perm./ Wherefore thy people hymn thee with thanksgiving: Rejoice, wise teacher Stephen.