Daily Reading:

LITURGY

Acts 4:23-31

     And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

John 5:24-30

     Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

+ + + 

HOLY MARTYR SIMEON, BISHOP OF PERSIA
ST ZOSIMAS OF SOLOVKI
ST MACARIOS, METROPOLITAN OF CORINTH

Troparion of St Simeon    Tone 4

As instructor of the divinely inspired doctrines/ thou didst train martyrs for contest by thy words and deeds./ O holy Hierarch Simeon,/ thou didst suffer with them and cry out to Christ while hastening to Him:/ We are counted as sheep for the slaughter for love of thee, O Saviour.

Troparion of St Zozimas of Solovki    Tone 4

O wise Father Zosimas, thou didst make the wilderness thy dwelling,/ intent on the Kingdom of Heaven./ Thou didst live as an earthly angel in fasting, vigil and prayer./ Thy abundant tears made the wilderness sprout and blossom./ As thou hast boldness with God, remember thy children.

Troparion of St Macarios of Corinth    Tone l

Let us praise Macarios, Hierarch of Corinth, adornment of Chios,/ radiant in deed, word and prayer:/ he has received from God the power to heal/ and to cast out spirits./ Glory to the Father Who has chosen him; glory to the Son Who has exalted him;/ glory to the Holy Spirit Who through him works healings for all.

Kontakion of St Simeon    Tone 4

O Simeon, thou didst shine forth from Persia/ with thy holy band of martyrs like radiant stars from the East./ We praise thee with them.

Kontakion of St Zosimas of Solovki    Tone 8

Wounded with love for Christ thou didst take His Cross on thy shoulders./ In divine armour with unceasing prayer as thy lance/ thou didst hew down the legions of demons./ So we cry to thee: Rejoice, Father Zosimas, holy adornment of monks.

Kontakion of St Macarios of Corinth    Tone 3

The Island of Chios sings praises to Macarios, Hierarch of Corinth:/ In heaven the Hierarchs receive him;/ the Martyrs, for he trained them for contest;/ the Ascetics, for he was of their number./ Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.