Daily Reading

Thursday

LITURGY

2 Corinthians 10:7-18

     7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Mark 3:28-35

     28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. 30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. 31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. 32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

+ + + 

ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF VLADIMIR
HOLY MARTYRS ADRIAN AND NATALIE

Troparion of the Icon    Tone 4

Today the city of Moscow is radiant/ for it receives the sunbeam of thy wonderworking icon, O Lady./ As we greet it we pray to thee and cry:/ O wonderful Mother of God,/ pray to Christ our God Who was incarnate of thee/ that this city and all cities and countries be kept safe from all enemy assaults/ and that our souls may be saved, for He is merciful .

Troparion of Ss Adrian and Natalie    Tone 3

Thou didst value the Faith as imperishable wealth, O thrice-blessed one,/ and didst abandon thy father's ungodliness./ Accepting thy spouse's word, thou wast made radiant in contest./ O glorious Adrian, pray to Christ our God for us,/ together with godly-minded Natalie.

Kontakion of the Icon    Tone 8

Queen of the heavenly hosts, defender of our souls,/ we joyfully celebrate the festival of thy meeting, O holy Mother of God;/ for by the coming of thy precious icon thou hast delivered us from harm,/ and as is meet we cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Kontakion of Ss Adrian and Natalie    Tone 4

Thou didst lay to heart the words of thy godly-minded spouse,/ O Adrian martyr of Christ./ Eagerly didst thou run to the tortures, and with thy wife receive a crown.

Another Kontakion of Ss Adrian and Natalie    Tone 4

The memory of the martyrs has dawned,/ and all the ends of the world are radiant./ They cry out with gladness; O Christ, Thou art the joy of the martyrs.