Daily Reading:

Third Sunday of Great Lent

MATINS (VI)

Luke 24:36-53

     36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

LITURGY OF ST. BASIL

Hebrews 4:14-5:6

     14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Mark 8:34-9:1

     34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

+ + + 

FINDING OF THE PRECIOUS RELICS OF THE HOLY MARTYRS IN EUGENIOS
ST ELWIN, MISSIONARY

Troparion of the Martyrs    Tone 1

O glorious Martyrs, you foundations of the Church,/ your venerable relics have appeared from the depths of the earth/ like spiritual roses and treasuries of graces./ They breathe forth the grace of healing/ and grant the fragrance of life/ to those who lovingly call you blessed.

Troparion of St Elwin    Tone 1

Leaving thy native Ireland, thou didst labour for Christ/ in the remoteness of Kernow,/ giving thyself up to ascetic struggles and missionary journeyings,/ O Father Elwin./ Wherefore we pray for courage and strength to emulate thy example/ for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion of the Martyrs    Tone 4

Like bright lights you shone from the earth and dispelled ungodly darkness;/ you have illumined the faithful,/ O divine Martyrs, champions of the Trinity.

Troparion of St Elwin    Tone 6

Accompanied by the pious Breaca,/ thou didst go out to preach the Gospel of Christ to those who were in darkness,/ therefore we glorify thee, ever praying/ that our lives may also be spent in God-pleasing activities.