Daily Reading:

Wednesday

LITURGY

Ephesians 3:8-21

     Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Mark 11:23-26

     For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

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THE HOLY MARTYR SOPHIA AND HER THREE DAUGHTERS FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE
HOLY MARTYRS SOCRATES AND STEPHEN

Troparion of the Feast    Tone 1

O Lord, save Thy people/ and bless Thine inheritance./ Grant Victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians,/ and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.

Troparion of St Sophia and her Three Daughters    Tone 5

Thou didst blossom in the courts of the Lord/ as a fruitful olive tree,/ O holy Martyr Sophia;/ in thy contest thou didst offer to Christ/ the sweet fruit of thy womb,/ Love, Hope and Faith./ With them, intercede for us all.

Troparion of Ss Socrates and Stephen    Tone 1

Thou didst win the crown of martyrdom,/ O noble Socrates and Stephen,/ when thou, following in the footsteps of both our nation's Patron and our protomartyr,/ didst resist the edict of the God-hating Diocletian./ Pray to God that we also may be given strength to be faithful, even unto death,/ that we too may inherit eternal life.

Kontakion of the Feast    Tone 4

O Christ our God/ Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross,/ grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee./ Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians/ and give them victory over their enemies./ May they have as an ally/ that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.

Kontakion of St Sophia and her Three Daughters    Tone 1

Faith, Hope and Love, holy branches of noble Sophia,/ by grace made Greek wisdom foolishness./ They have contested and won the Victory/ and have been crowned by Christ the Master of all.