Daily Reading:

7th Sunday after Pentecost

MATINS (VII)

John 20:1-10

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

LITURGY

Romans 15:1-7

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Matthew 9:27-35

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

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SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL

ST STEPHEN OF ST SABBAS MONASTERY

ST JUST, MONK

Troparion of the Archangel Gabriel Tone 4

Supreme Leader of the Heavenly Host,/ we implore thee that by thy prayers thou wilt encircle us,/ unworthy as we are,/ with the protection of the wings of thy immaterial glory,/ and guard us who fall down before thee and fervently cry:/ Deliver us from dangers,/ for thou art the commander of the Powers above.

Troparion of St Stephen Tone 3

O righteous Father Stephen, thou didst receive a glorious crown/ and became a crown of the Church,/ for thou wast crowned with divine graces/ and wast resplendent in godliness./ Entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Troparion of St Just Tone 6

Son of St Geraint, O lover of peace,/ when a stranger took thy cell thou didst wander to distant lands./ Through thy patience thou art glorious./ We honour thee, O holy Just.

Kontakion of the Archangel Gabriel Tone 2

Thou dost behold the glory of God in heaven,/ and bring grace from on high to earth,/ O wise Gabriel, Leader of Angels,/ minister of God's glory and champion of the world./ Save and preserve those who cry to thee:/ Be our helper, and no one will be against us.

Kontakion of St Stephen Tone 4

Thou didst plant a paradise of virtues/ and water it with thy tears,/ and receive the Tree of Life./ By thy prayers save thy flock from corruption/ and deliver from temptations those who venerate thee./ O glorious Stephen,/ through faith and love we have acquired thee as a great intercessor.

13 - 19

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE SEVEN ECUMENICAL COUNCILS

Troparion Tone 8

Glorious art Thou, O Christ our God/ Who hast established our holy fathers as stars on earth./ Through them Thou dost guide us to the True Faith./ O Most Merciful One, glory to Thee.

Kontakion Tone 8

The preaching of the Apostles and the doctrine of the Fathers confirmed the one faith in the Church./ In the garment of truth woven from theology on high she rightly divides and glorifies true piety.