Daily Reading:

Friday

LITURGY

Romans 5:17-6:2

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Matthew 9:14-17

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

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ST HILARY THE NEW ABBOT OF THE MONASTERY OF DALMATOS IN CONSTANTINOPLE

ST SUSANNA THE VIRGIN MARTYR

Troparion of St Hilary Tone 1

By cultivating the words of the Lord,/ thou didst blossom with grace like an olive tree./ With the oil of divine virtues and by thy confession, blessed Hilary,/ thou didst gladden those who faithfully cry to thee:/ Glory to Christ Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Troparion of St Susanna Tone 4

With two companions thou didst desire a life of prayer and solitude,/ O pious Susanna,/ but by thy virtuous example, thy gift of healing and thy consolation for the afflicted/ thou didst enrage the God-hating Diocletian./ Wherefore, O holy one, pray to God for us/ that we, like thee, may be faithful even unto death,/ that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St Hilary Tone 1

Though contesting with fire thou wast not burned,/ for the dew of God refreshed thee./ Thou didst rejoice to accomplish struggles beyond nature./ As thou art now among the righteous, O Hilary, remember us.

Kontakion of St Susanna Tone 4

O holy Susanna, the purity and constancy of thy life was a hymn of praise to God/ Who sent Angels to escort thy soul to heaven./ At the sight of this the executioners fell back with fear/ and thou, most pious virgin, didst urge them to their task of awarding thee a martyr's crown,/ the guarantee of eternal salvation.