Daily Reading:

Wednesday

LITURGY

Romans 1:18-27

     For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Matthew 5:20-26

     For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

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ST ANDREW THE FOOL FOR CHRIST
HOLY HIEROMARTYR EUTYCHES OF MELITENA
ST IGNATIUS, BISHOP OF ROSTOV

Troparion of St Andrew the Fool for Christ    Tone 4

Thou didst choose foolishness for the sake of Christ/ and didst make the crafty one foolish./ Thou didst persevere with thy struggle in the midst of turmoil,/ and Christ has brought thee to paradise./ Intercede with Him, O Andrew for those who honour thee.

Another Troparion of St Andrew    Tone l

For thy sake, O Christ, thy servant Andrew became a fool on earth./ He heard the Apostle Paul proclaiming,/ 'We are fools for the sake of Christ'./ As we now honour his memory we pray thee to save our souls.

Troparion of St Ignatius of Rostov    Tone 4

Thy doctrine was a source of enlightenment;/ thou didst receive a flock as a Hierarch and wast an heir to the Apostles./ Thou didst receive the gift of wonderworking:/ O holy Bishop Ignatius,/ entreat Christ our God to save our souls.

Troparion of St Eutyches    Tone 4

Thou didst share in the glory of the martyrs,/ having achieved the heights of virtue, O blessed Eutyches./ Thou didst serve our God in purity/ and redden thy garments in the blood of martyrdom./ Thus adorned thou art standing near Christ in His service, and dost ever intercede for our souls.

Kontakion of St Andrew    Tone 1

Thou didst finish thy life in piety, O godly-minded Andrew,/ Thou wast a pure vessel of the Trinity and a companion of the Angels./ May peace and forgiveness be granted, through thine intercession,/ to those who honour thee.

Another Kontakion of St Andrew    Tone 4

Of thine own free will thou didst become a Fool, O Andrew,/ and utterly hate the lures of this world./ Thou didst deaden carnal wisdom through hunger and thirst,/ through heat and bitter frost./ By never avoiding the hardships of weather thou didst purify thyself as gold in the furnace.

Kontakion of St Ignatius of Rostov    Tone 4

Thine illustrious memory shines forth today,/ O blessed Hierarch Ignatius./ It illumines the world and reveals to all the radiance of divine glory.

Kontakion of St Eutyches    Tone 2

Thou didst steadfastly guide and guard the Church,/ and lay down thy life for her, O Father Eutyches./ Preserve her unshaken in all true doctrine,/ for thou art her pillar and foundation.