Daily Reading:

Saturday

LITURGY

Romans 14:19-23; 16:25-27

     Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:1-13

     Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Commemoration of all the holy and God-bearing Fathers who shone forth in the ascetic life.

Galatians 5:22-6:2

     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Matthew 11:27-30

     All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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HOLY AND WONDERWORKING UNMERCENARIES CYROS AND JOHN
ST NICETAS, BISHOP OF NOVGOROD
ST MELANGELL, VIRGIN RECLUSE

Troparion of Ss Cyros and John    Tone 5

Thou hast given us the miracles of thy holy Martyrs/ as an impregnable wall, O Christ our God./ By their prayers frustrate the plans of the heathen and godless,/ and strengthen the Christians in faith and love,/ for Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind.

Troparion of St Nicetas, Bishop of Novgorod    Tone 4

As one who delighted in abstinence/ and bridled the desire of the flesh/ thou didst sit on the episcopal throne;/ and as a star thou didst enlighten the hearts of the faithful/ by thy radiant miracles./ O Father and Hierarch Nicetas,/ entreat Christ our God to save our souls.

Troparion of St Melangell    Tone 8

Preferring the rigours of monasticism to worldly status and marriage, O pious Melangell,/ thou wast fifteen years on a rock, emulating the example of the Syrian Stylites./ Wherefore, O Saint, pray to God that He will give us strength to serve Him as He wills,/ that we may be found worthy of great mercy.

Kontakion of Ss Cyros and John    Tone 3

Having received the gift of working miracles by divine grace, O Saints,/ you unceasingly work wonders,/ cutting out all our diseases and passions by invisible surgery,/ O divinely-wise Cyros and glorious John;/ for you are divine healers.

Kontakion of St Nicetas, Bishop of Novgorod    Tone 6

Thou wast honoured with the office of Archbishop,/ and didst stand before God Most Pure in purity,/ and quench the flames of the city./ Now, O Hierarch Nicetas, entreat Christ our God/ that all Orthodox Christians making supplication may be saved,/ that all may cry to thee:  Rejoice, O Hierarch Nicetas .

Kontakion of St Melangell    Tone 4

Praise, glory and honour are thy due, O righteous Melangell,/ for in consecrating thy virginity to Christ,/ thou didst give us a model of Christian living./ Wherefore we who keep thy festival, pray for grace to amend our lives according to thy example,/ glorifying God in every word and deed.