Daily Reading

 Thursday

LITURGY

Ephesians 4:14-19

     14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Mark 11:27-33

     27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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HOLY HIEROMARTYR ANTHIMUS, BISHOP OF NICOMEDIA

ST PHOEBE, DEACONESS OF CENCHRAE
OUR HOLY FATHER THEOCTISTUS, FELLOW ASCETIC OF EUTHYMIUS THE GREAT
ST MACNIS

Troparion of St Anthimus the Heiromartyr    Tone 1

Thou didst protect thy flock with thy blood,/ not fearing thine adversaries./ Now thou dost rejoice in heaven,/standing before the throne./ Glory to Christ Who has strengthened thee; glory to thy courage;/ glory to thine endurance, O holy Heiromartyr Anthimus.

Troparion of St Phoebe    Tone 3

Enlightened by grace and taught the faith by the chosen vessel of Christ,/ thou wast found worthy of the diaconate/ and didst bring Paul's words to Rome./ O Deaconess Phoebe, pray to Christ our God/ that His Spirit may enlighten our souls.

Troparion of St Theoctistus    Tone 4

Dedicated as God's priest from thy youth,/ thou didst spurn all worldly aims./ O righteous Theoctistus, thou wast radiant in thy solitude/ and strict in the training of monks./ Guide those who come to thee and lead them in the way of salvation.

Troparion of St MacNis    Tone 8

Having learned thy faith from Ireland's Enlightener, O holy MacNis,/ thou didst found a shining beacon of the True Faith, the Monastery of Kells,/ from which was bequeathed to Christ's Church a treasure of piety and wonder, which is with us to this day./ Inspired by thine example, O Saint, we beseech thee to intercede with Christ our God/ that we may be given grace to follow thee in the way of salvation.

Kontakion of St Anthimus the Hieromartyr    Tone 4

Illustrious priest and steadfast martyr,/ Anthimus worthy of praise:/ thou didst assail idol-worship/ and champion thy flock who fervently cry out to thee:/ By thine intercessions deliver us from dangers.

Kontakion of St Phoebe    Tone 2

Paul proclaimed thee a protector of many/ and thou didst become his helper./ Hearken to those who approach thee with faith/ and who cry out to thee with love:/ Rejoice glory of Corinth and pride of Achaia;/ rejoice thou lamp of Cenchrea,/ rejoice, O Deaconess Phoebe.

Kontakion of St Theoctistus    Tone 4

Thou didst keep thy soul pure and present it to God as His creation./ Enlightened by Him, Theoctistus, thou didst rise to the peak of endeavour./ By thy works thou hast confirmed the grace that was given thee.