An updated schedule of Church services starting from the 5th Sunday of Great Lent (St Mary of Egypt) is available in English and Russian in the links below:
Nativity Service Schedule with Text of Services
Service Schedule for this weekends Nativity (Christmas) services at our church. Links to variable parts of key services in English and Slavonic (Russian Characters) provided form the Holy Mother of God ROCOR church in Houston USA for those who want to follow on.
Friday 5th January
Royal Hours 8.00 am (Service in Slavonic and English from Holy Mother of God Church Houston)
Matins 6.00 pm
Saturday 6th January Eve of the Nativity of our Lord
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Vespers. 8.30 am (Vespers Service in Slavonic and English from Holy Mother of God Church Houston)
All-night vigil 6.00 pm (Vigil Service in Slavonic and English from Holy Mother of God Church Houston)
Sunday 7th January The Nativity of our Lord (Christmas)
Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 8.30 am
Great Vespers 5.00 pm
December 24: Updated Service Timetable
21st Sunday after Pentecost – Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Longinus, the Centurion Who Stood at the Foot of the Cross of the Lord
21st Sunday after Pentecost
Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Longinus, the Centurion Who Stood at the Foot of the Cross of the Lord
Readings
Matins
Holy Gospel according to John (20:1-14)
At that time, Jesus showed Himself to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way showed He Himself: There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of His disciples. Simon Peter said unto them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said unto him, ‘We also go with thee.’ They went forth and entered into a boat immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, ‘Children, have ye any meat?’ And they answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said unto them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find.’ They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it in for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded his fisher’s coat unto him (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little boat (for they were not far from land, but, as it were, two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon and bread. Jesus said unto them, ‘Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.’ Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty three; and though there were so many, yet the net was not broken. Jesus said unto them, ‘Come and dine.’ And none of the disciples dared ask Him, ‘Who art Thou?’ knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took bread and gave it to them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was risen from the dead.
Liturgy
Brethren: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid! For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy (2:1-10)
Timothy my child: Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (8:5-15)
The Lord said this parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock, and as soon as it had sprung up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up and bore fruit a hundredfold.’ And when He had said these things, He cried, ‘He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!’ And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘What might this parable mean?’ And He said, ‘Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; but to others in parables, that ‘seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil and taketh away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. The seed on the rock are they that, when they hear, receive the Word with joy, but they have no root: they for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they that, when they have heard, go forth and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they that, in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.’ And He said, ‘He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.’
Holy Gospel according to Matthew (27:33-54)
At that time, when the soldiers were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a Place of a Skull, they gave Jesus vinegar to drink mingled with gall. And when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink. And they crucified Him and parted His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: ‘They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots.’ And sitting down, they watched Him there, and set up over His head His accusation, written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right hand and another on the left. And those who passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save thyself! If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross!’ Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders said, ’He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver him now, if He will have him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’’ The thieves also, who were crucified with Him, cast the same in His teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is to say, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’ Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, ‘This man calleth for Elijah.’ And straightway one of them ran and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed and gave Him to drink. The rest said, ‘Let be; let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth quaked and the rocks rent. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly, this was the Son of God!’
Troparia
Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 4)
Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting to the world great mercy.
Troparion of the Holy Martyr Longinus (Tone 4)
In his sufferings O Lord, Thy martyr Longinus hath received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he set at nought his tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.
Kontakion of the Resurrection (Tone 4)
My Saviour and Redeemer hath, as God, raised up the earthborn from the grave and from their fetters, and He hath broken the gates of hades, and, as Master, hath risen on the third day.
Kontakion of the Holy Martyr Longinus (Tone 8)
The Church hath rejoiced in gladness on the day of the commemoration of the ever-memorable athlete Longinus, crying out: Thou art my might and confirmation, O Christ!
THE HOLY MARTYR LONGINUS
The divine Matthew the Evangelist, in describing the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, says: Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). That centurion was this blessed Longinus, who with two other of his soldiers came to believe in Jesus, the Son of God. Longinus was chief of the soldiers who were present at the Crucifixion of the Lord on Golgotha, and was also the chief of the watch that guarded the tomb. When the Jewish elders learned of the Resurrection of Christ, they bribed the soldiers to spread the false news that Christ did not resurrect, but rather that His disciples stole His body. The Jews also tried to bribe Longinus, but he did not allow himself to be bribed. Then the Jews resorted to their usual strategy: they decided to kill Longinus. Learning of this, Longinus removed his military belt, was baptized with his two companions by an apostle, secretly left Jerusalem and moved to Cappadocia with his companions. There, he devoted himself to fasting and prayer and, as a living witness of Christ’s Resurrection, converted many pagans to the true Faith by his witness. After that, he withdrew to a village on the estate of his father. Even there, however, the malice of the Jews did not leave him in peace. Due to the calumnies of the Jews, Pilate dispatched soldiers to behead Longinus. St. Longinus foresaw in the spirit the approach of his executioners and went out to meet them. He brought them to his home, not telling them who he was. He was a good host to the soldiers, and soon they lay down to sleep. But St. Longinus stood up to pray, and prayed all night long, preparing himself for death. In the morning, he called his two companions to him, clothed himself in white burial clothes, and instructed the other members of his household to bury him on a particular small hill. He then went to the soldiers and told them that he was that Longinus whom they were seeking. The soldiers were perplexed and ashamed, and could not even contemplate beheading Longinus, but he insisted that they fulfill the order of their superior. Thus, Longinus and his two companions were beheaded. The soldiers took Longinus’s head to Pilate, and he turned it over to the Jews. They threw it on a dung heap outside the city.
October 29: Updated Service Timetable
THE PROTECTION OF OUR ALL-HOLY LADY, THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY
THE PROTECTION OF OUR ALL-HOLY LADY, THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY
Readings
Vespers
Reading from Genesis (Genesis 28:10-17)
Jacob went forth from the well of the oath, and departed unto Haran. And came to a certain place, and slept there, for the sun had gone down; and he took one of the stones of the place, and put it at his head, and lay down to sleep in that place, and dreamed: and behold a ladder fixed on the earth, whose top reached to heaven, and the angels of God ascended and descended on it. And the Lord stood upon it, and said: ‘I am the God of thy father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. Fear not; the land on which thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be like the sand of the earth; and it shall spread abroad to the sea, and the south, and the north, and the east; and in thee and in thy seed shall all tribes of the earth be blessed. And behold, I am with thee to preserve thee continually in all the way wherein thou shalt go; and I will bring thee back to this land; for I will not desert thee, until I have done all that I have said to thee.’ And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and said: ‘The Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.’ And he was afraid, and said: ‘How fearful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!’
Reading from the Prophecy of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:27-44:4a)
Thus saith the Lord: ‘It shall come to pass from the eighth day and onward, that the priests shall offer your wholeburnt-offerings on the altar, and your peace-offerings; and I will accept you,’ saith the Lord. Then He brought me back by way of the outer gate of the sanctuary that looketh eastward; and it was shut. And the Lord said to me: ‘This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall pass through it; for the Lord God of Israel shall enter by it, and it shall be shut. For the Prince, He shall sit in it, to eat bread before the Lord; He shall go in by the way of the porch of the gate, and shall go forth by the way of the same.’ And He brought me in by the way of the gate that looketh northward, in front of the house: and I looked, and, behold, the house was full of the glory of the Lord.
Reading from Proverbs (Proverbs 9:1-11)
Wisdom hath built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table. She hath sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying: ‘Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me.’ And to those who want understanding, she saith: ‘Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.’ Leave folly, that ye may reign forever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge. He who reproveth evil men shall get dishonour to himself; and he who rebuketh an ungodly man shall disgrace himself. Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding, for to know the law is the character of a sound mind. For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
Matins
Holy Gospel according to Luke (1:39-49, 56)
In those days Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name.’ […] And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Liturgy
The Reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews (9:1-7)
Brethren: The first covenant had also ordinances of divine service and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made, the first, wherein was the candlestick and the table and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat, of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (10:38-42; 11:27-28)
At that time, Jesus entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word. But Martha was encumbered with much serving, and came to Him and said, ‘Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.’ And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice and said unto Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore Thee and the breasts which Thou hast sucked.’ But He said, ‘Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it.’
Troparia
Troparion of the Protection (Tone 4)
Today we Orthodox people joyfully celebrate thy glorious coming among us, O Mother of God, and gazing upon thy most pure image, we say with compunction: Shelter us with thy most precious protection, and deliver us from all evil, and pray to thy Son, Christ our God, that He save our souls.
Kontakion of the Protection (Tone 3)
Today the Virgin doth stand before us in church, and with the choirs of saints invisibly prayeth for us to God. Angels worship with hierarchs, apostles rejoice with prophets, for the Theotokos prayeth for us to the Eternal God.
THE PROTECTION OF THE MOST-HOLY THEOTOKOS
From time immemorial, the Church has celebrated the Most-holy Theotokos as the patroness and protectress of the Christian people, who, by her intercessory prayers, implores God’s mercy for us sinners. The help of the Most-holy Mother of God has been clearly shown numerous times, to individuals and to nations, in peace and in war, in monastic deserts and in densely populated cities. The event that the Church commemorates and celebrates today confirms the Theotokos’ consistent protection of Christian people. On October 1, 911 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise, there was an All-night Vigil in the Blachernae Church of the Mother of God in Constantinople. The church was full of people. St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ was standing in the rear of the church with his disciple Epiphanius. At four o’clock in the morning, the Most-holy Theotokos appeared above the people, holding her omophorion outstretched as a protective covering for the faithful. She was clothed in gold-encrusted purple, and shone with an ineffable radiance, surrounded by apostles, saints, martyrs and virgins. St. Andrew said to Blessed Epiphanius: “Do you see, brother, the Queen and Lady of all praying for the whole world?” Epiphanius replied: “I see, Father, and am struck with amazement!” The Feast of the Protection was instituted to commemorate this event, and to remind us that we can prayerfully receive the unceasing protection of the Most-holy Theotokos in any time of difficulty.
THE HOLY APOSTLE ANANIAS
Ananias was one of the Seventy Apostles. He was bishop in Damascus. In accordance with God’s revelation (Acts 9:10-17), he baptized Saul (the Apostle Paul). Because of his courageous preaching of the Gospel he was stoned to death in the town of Eleutheropolis. His holy relics were taken to Damascus and later to Constantinople.
THE VENERABLE ROMANUS THE MELODIST
Romanus was born in the Syrian town of Emesa. He was, at first, a sexton in Beirut, and later served in the cathedral church in Constantinople in the time of Patriarch Euthymius (490-504 A.D.). Romanus was not well educated and was untrained in chanting, for which he was ridiculed by some of the more educated clergy. St. Romanus tearfully prayed to the Most-holy Theotokos, and she appeared to him in a dream, gave him a scroll, and told him to swallow it. The following day was the Feast of the Nativity. Romanus took his place as a chanter at the ambo, and with an angelic voice sang the hymn “Today the Virgin….” All were amazed at both the content of this hymn and at the magnificent singing of the chanter. Having received the poetic gift from the Theotokos, Romanus composed over a thousand Kontakia. Romanus entered into rest as a deacon of the Great Church, Hagia Sophia, in Constantinople. He joined the angelic choirs in the year 510 A.D.
18th Sunday after Pentecost – Our Venerable Father Sergius the Wonder-Worker, Abbot of Radonezh
18th Sunday after Pentecost
Commemoration of Our Venerable Father Sergius the Wonder-Worker, Abbot of Radonezh
Readings
Vespers
Reading from Proverbs (10:7,6; 3:13-16; 8:6,32,34,4,12.14,17,5-9; 1:23)
The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favour from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those who love me; those who seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye who are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those who understand, and right to those who find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.
Reading from Proverbs (Proverbs 10:31-11:12)
The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom 3:1-9)
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them, and received them as a burnt-offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign forever. Those who put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
Matins
Holy Gospel according to John (20: 1-10)
At that time, the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre and saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said unto them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him!’ Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. And they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came first to the sepulchre. And stooping down and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he went not in. Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre and saw the linen cloths as they lay and the napkin that had been about His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came first to the sepulchre, went in also; and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Liturgy
The Reading from the Second Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (II Corinthians 9:6-11)
Brethren: He who soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he who soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. As every man purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or out of compulsion; for God loveth the cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever.’ Now may He that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, ye being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians (5:22-6:2)
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another and envying one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (5:1-11)
At that time, Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret and saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets. And He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. Now when He was through speaking, He said unto Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draft.’ And Simon answering said unto Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing. Nevertheless, at Thy word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net began to break. And they beckoned unto their partners, who were in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’ For he was astonished, and all those who were with him, at the draft of the fishes which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, ‘Fear not. From henceforth thou shalt catch men.’ And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
Holy Gospel according to Luke (6:17-23a)
At that time, Jesus stood on the plain with the company of His disciples and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were vexed with unclean spirits; and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for there went virtue out of Him and healed them all. And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples and said, ‘Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in Heaven.’
Troparia
Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 1)
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world. Wherefore, the Hosts of the heavens cried out to Thee, O Life-giver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Lover of mankind.
Troparion of St Sergius of Radonezh (Tone 4)
As a champion of the virtues, and as a true soldier of Christ God, thou didst struggle mightily against the passions in this temporal life, and thou wast a model for thy disciples in chants, vigils, and fasting. Wherefore, the Most Holy Spirit dwelt in thee, and thou wast brightly adorned by His grace. But as thou hast boldness toward the Holy Trinity, remember the flock which thou didst gather so wisely, and forget not to visit thy children as thou didst promise, O Sergius, our holy father.
Kontakion of St Sergius of Radonezh (Tone 8)
Wounded with love for Christ, O Saint, and having followed Him with unwaning desire, thou didst hate all carnal pleasure, and like the sun thou didst shine on thy fatherland. Wherefore, Christ hath enriched thee with the gift of wonderworking. Remember us who honour thy most illustrious memory, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, divinely-wise Sergius.
Kontakion of the Resurrection (Tone 1)
As God, Thou didst arise from the tomb in glory, and Thou didst raise the world together with Thyself. And mortal nature praiseth Thee as God, and death hath vanished. And Adam danceth, O Master, and Eve, now freed from fetters, rejoiceth as she crieth out: Thou art He, O Christ, that grantest unto all resurrection.
THE VENERABLE EUPHROSYNE
Euphrosyne was the daughter of Paphnutius, a wealthy and distinguished man of Alexandria. Her childless parents had besought God with prayer for the birth of a child, and they were given her. Her devout parents raised their daughter in the Christian Faith. Not wanting to enter into marriage, the young Euphrosyne hid from her father, changed into men’s clothing, and presented herself to the abbot of a monastery as a eunuch of Emperor Theodosius, giving the name Smaragdus. The abbot received her, and turned her over to the spiritual father Agapitus for guidance. By her fasting and prayerful asceticism, Smaragdus quickly surpassed all the monks in that monastery. When she had completed thirty-eight years of strict asceticism, her father Paphnutius visited that monastery, and the abbot directed him to Smaragdus for prayer and counsel. Smaragdus recognized Paphnutius, but Paphnutius did not recognize Smaragdus. When the father confessed his grief for his lost daughter, Smaragdus told him not to lose hope, for he would see his daughter again in this life, and besought him to come again within three days. When Paphnutius came again, Smaragdus was on her deathbed. The dying one said to Paphnutius: “I am Euphrosyne, your daughter; you are my father!” For a long time, the father was unable to come to himself due to his severe shock. Then, the Blessed Euphrosyne breathed her last, and her father wept over her. After burying her, Paphnutius himself entered the monastery, and settled in the cell of his holy, reposed daughter. After ten years of asceticism, Paphnutius also entered into rest in the Lord.
THE VENERABLE SERGIUS OF RADONEZH
Sergius was a great ascetic and light of the Russian Church. He was born in 1313 A.D., in Rostov, of devout parents, Cyril and Maria. After his parents’ deaths, Bartholomew–for that was his baptismal name–became a monk, and founded the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in the forests of Radonezh. As a quiet and gentle servant of God, he knew only labor and prayer. Because of the purity of his heart he was made worthy of the gift of miracle-working, even resurrecting the dead in the name of Christ. The Holy Theotokos appeared to him many times. Princes and bishops came to him for advice. He blessed Prince Dimitri Donskoy, and foretold his victory in the battle for the liberation of Russia from the Tartars. He saw into the hearts of men as well as future events. His monastery was full of monks, even during his lifetime and, century after century, has been one of the most important centers of spiritual life and God’s miracles. St. Sergius entered into rest in the year 1392 A.D. Following his repose, he appeared many times to various people.
THE VENERABLE EUPHROSYNE OF SUZDAL
Euphrosyne’s baptismal name was Theodula. She was the daughter of Michael Vsevolodovich, and the betrothed of Menas, the Prince of Suzdal. She did not at all desire to marry, and prayed to God to preserve her as a virgin until death. When they took her to Suzdal to be married, her betrothed, Menas, suddenly died. Euphrosyne did not return to the home of her parents but entered a convent, where she labored in asceticism until her repose. God endowed her with the gift of working miracles. She entered into rest in the year 1250 A.D.
The Exaltation of the Cross (St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco)
Before The Time of Christ, the cross was an instrument of punishment; it evoked fear and aversion. But after Christ’s death on the Cross it became the instrument and sign of our salvation. Through the Cross, Christ destroyed the devil; from the Cross He descended into hades and, having liberated those languishing there, led them into the Kingdom of Heaven. The sign of the Cross is terrifying to demons and, as the sign of Christ, it is honored by Christians. The Lord manifested it in the sky to the Emperor Constantine as he was going to Rome to fight the tyrant who had seized power, and the Emperor, having fashioned a standard in the form of a cross, won a total victory. Having been aided by the Cross of the Lord, the Emperor Constantine asked his mother, the Empress Helen, to find the actual Life-giving Cross, and the devout Helen went to Jerusalem where, after much searching, she found it.
Many healings and other miracles were wrought and continue to be wrought by the Life-giving Cross and also by its depiction. Through it the Lord preserves His people from all enemies visible and invisible. The Orthodox Church solemnly celebrates the finding of the Cross of the Lord, recalling at the same time the appearance of the Cross in the sky to the Emperor Constantine. On that and other days dedicated to the Holy Cross, we beseech God that He grant His mercies not only to individual people, but to all Christendom, to the whole Church. This is well expressed by the Troparion to the Cross of the Lord, composed in the eighth century, when Saint Cosmas, Bishop of Maiuma, a friend of St. John Damascene, wrote the service to the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord.
“Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance, granting victory to (right-believing) kings over adversaries, and by Thy Cross preserving Thy community.”
The beginning of this prayer is taken from the twenty-seventh Psalm. In the Old Testament the word “people” designated only those who confessed the true faith, people faithful to God. “Inheritance” referred to everything which properly belonged to God, God’s property, which in the New Testament is the Church of Christ. In praying for the salvation of God’s people (the Christians), both from eternal torments and from earthly calamities, we beseech the Lord to bless, to send down grace, His good gifts upon the whole Church as well, and inwardly strengthen her.
The petition for granting “victory to kings,” i.e., to the bearers of supreme authority, has its basis in Psalm 143, verse 10, and recalls the victories King David achieved by God’s power, and likewise the victories granted Emperor Constantine through the Cross of the Lord. This appearance of the Cross made emperors who had formerly persecuted Christians into defenders of the Church from her external enemies, into “external bishops,” to use the expression of the holy Emperor Constantine.
The Church, inwardly strong by God’s grace and protected outwardly, is, for Orthodox Christians, “the city of God,” God’s community, His commonwealth, where the path to the Heavenly Jerusalem has its beginning. Various calamities have shaken the world, entire peoples have disappeared, cities and states have perished, but the Church, in spite of persecutions and even internal conflicts, stands invincible; for the gates of hell shall not prevail against her (Matt. 16:18). Today, when world leaders try in vain to establish order on earth, the only dependable instrument of peace is that about which the Church sings:
The Cross is the guardian of the whole world;
the Cross is the beauty of the Church,
the Cross is the might of kings;
the Cross is the confirmation of the faithful,
the Cross is the glory of angels and the wounding of demons.
Воздвижение Животворящего Креста. (Metropolitan Philaret)
Церковь продолжает еще праздновать великий праздник Воздвижения Животворящего Креста. Поэтому мы с вами вместе с воскресными песнопениями слышим и песнопения крестные. Когда был канун великого праздника Воздвижения, в некоторых храмах совершался самый Чин Воздвижения, когда рукой архиерейской крест поднимался высоко вверх и потом постепенно опускался вниз до самой земли, а потом снова, так же медленно возносился опять кверху. Этим обрядом Церковь указывает нам на то великое дело, которое совершил Господь наш Иисус Христос, сошедший с неба на землю, а от земли даже в преисподнюю, для того, (как любили говорить святые отцы) чтобы поискать, найти и спасти человека
Но заметьте разницу, с Престола Божьего на землю сошел Сын Божий – Второе Лицо Святой Троицы, Бог Всемогущий и Бесконечный, только Божество. А когда совершил Свое великое дело спасение человечества, и Он снова возносился к небесам, то уже возносился не просто Сын Божий и Бог, а Богочеловек: Одно Лицо, Одноличность, Ипостась, как говорится по-гречески, но уже в двух естествах, двух природах – Богочеловек. Ибо в Лице Господа нашего Иисуса Христа Божество и человечество соединилось всецело навсегда, на всю вечность и изменения в этом уже не будет никогда. И Божественная природа и человеческая природа остались со всеми своими свойствами, только чудесно соединились воедино.
Святые отцы любили говорить, что Господь, вознесшийся от земли на небо, нам как бы проложил этот путь. Верная Ему душа увидит на себе исполнение Его светлого обетования, когда Он говорил: “Где же есть Аз, там и слуга Мой будет.” Т.е., где Я, там и слуга Мой будет. Поэтому Господь, как бы открыл этот путь с земли на небо для всех нас, чад Его Церкви. Но только остерегись, христианская душа, чтобы с собой на небо не понести земной суеты, нужно на земле прожить так, чтобы, оканчивая земную жизнь, мы оказались бы достойными для райской блаженной жизни, чтобы не то нас занимало, не тем мы жили, не то переживали, что было когда-то на земле, а уже то, что свойственно райским обителям и вечной блаженной жизни. Об этом нужно помнить, потому что третьего не дается: если душа не спасется, не наследует райские обители, не водворится в них, то она непременно попадет в страшную адскую бездну, – середины здесь нет! Поэтому позаботься, душа христианская, о том, чтобы приготовить себя, и оказаться гостем в райских селениях, а не в страшной этой бездне адской, в которой только томление и мука и нет никакой абсолютно отрады и надежды. И блаженна та душа, которая наследует вечную жизнь, как обетовал Господь Иисус Христос Своим ученикам, а через них всем нам, верующим православным христианам. Аминь.
Exaltation of the Cross
Exaltation of the Cross
Readings – Vigil
Reading from Exodus (Exodus 15:22-16:1a)
Moses brought up the children of Israel from the Red Sea, and brought them into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water to drink. And they came to Marah, and could not drink of Marah, for it was bitter; therefore he named the name of that place, Bitterness. And the people murmured against Moses, saying: ‘What shall we drink?’ And Moses cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, and he cast it into the water, and the water was sweetened. There He established to him ordinances and judgements, and there He proved him, and said: ‘If thou wilt indeed hear the voice of the Lord thy God, and do things pleasing before Him, and wilt hearken to His commands, and keep all His ordinances, no disease which I have brought upon the Egyptians will I bring upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God, Who healeth thee.’ And they came to Elim, and there were there twelve fountains of water, and seventy stems of palm trees; and they encamped there by the waters. And they departed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sin.
Reading from Proverbs (Proverbs 3:11-18)
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth, He rebuketh, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no evil thing shall resist her; she is well known to all who approach her, and no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth proceedeth righteousness, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Her ways are good ways, and all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to all who lay hold upon her; and she is a secure help to all who stay themselves on her, as on the Lord.
Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 60:11-16)
Thus saith the Lord: ‘Thy gates shall be opened continually, O Jerusalem; they shall not be shut day nor night; to bring in to thee the power of the gentiles, and their kings as captives. For the nations and the kings which will not serve thee shall perish; and those nations shall be made utterly desolate. And the glory of Lebanon shall come to thee, with the cypress, and pine, and cedar together, to glorify My holy place. And the sons of those who afflicted thee, and of those who provoked thee, shall come to thee in fear; and thou shalt be called Sion, the city of the Holy One of Israel. Because thou hast become desolate and hated, and there was no helper, therefore I will make thee a perpetual gladness, a joy of many generations. And thou shalt suck the milk of the gentiles, and shalt eat the wealth of kings; and shalt know that I am the Lord Who saveth thee and delivereth thee: the God of Israel.’
Holy Gospel according to John (12:28-36)
The Lord said: ‘Father, glorify Thy name.’ Then there came a voice from Heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ The people therefore who stood by and heard it said that it thundered. Others said, ‘An angel spoke to him.’ Jesus answered and said, ‘This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgement of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.’ This He said, signifying what death He should die. The people answered Him, ‘We have heard from the law that Christ abideth for ever; and how sayest thou, “The Son of Man must be lifted up”? Who is this son of man?’ Then Jesus said unto them, ‘Yet a little while is the Light with you. Walk while ye have the Light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of Light.’
Readings – Liturgy
The Reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (1:18-24)
Brethren: The preaching of the Cross is to those who perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35)
At that time, the high priests and elders took council against Jesus to put Him to death. And they delivered Him to Pilate saying, ‘Away with him, away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate saith unto them, ‘Take ye him and crucify him, for I find no fault in him.’ The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.’ When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid. And he went again into the judgement hall and saith unto Jesus, ‘From whence art thou?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto Him, ‘Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?’ Jesus answered, ‘Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above.’ […] When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth and sat down in the judgement seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the Preparation of the Passover and about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with him, away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate saith unto them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led Him away. And He bearing His Cross went forth into a place called the Place of a Skull (which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha) where they crucified Him and two other with Him, on either side one and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the Cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city, and it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latin. […] Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His Mother and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He saith unto His Mother, ‘Woman, behold thy son!’ Then saith He to the disciple, ‘Behold thy Mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, […] bowed His head and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath day was an high day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers and brake the legs of the first and of the other which was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs, but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true.
Troparia
Troparion of the Exaltation of the Cross (Tone 1)
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto Orthodox Christians victory over enemies; and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Kontakion of the Exaltation of the Cross (Tone 4)
O Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy mercies upon the new community named after Thee, O Christ God; gladden with Thy power the Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over enemies; may they have as Thy help the weapon of peace, the invincible trophy.
Exaltation of the Cross
Two events in connection with the Honorable Cross of Christ are commemorated on this day: first, the finding of the Honorable Cross on Golgotha and second, the return of the Honorable Cross from Persia to Jerusalem. Visiting the Holy Land, the holy Empress Helena decided to find the Honorable Cross of Christ. An old Jewish man named Judah was the only one who knew where the Cross was located, and, constrained by the empress, he revealed that the Cross was buried under the temple of Venus that Emperor Hadrian had built on Golgotha. The empress ordered that this idolatrous temple be razed and, having dug deep below it, found three crosses. While the empress pondered on how to recognize which of these was the Cross of Christ, a funeral procession passed by. Patriarch Macarius told them to place the crosses, one by one, on the dead man. When they placed the first and second cross on the dead man, the dead man lay unchanged. When they placed the third cross on him, the dead man came back to life. By this they knew that this was the Precious and Life-giving Cross of Christ. They then placed the Cross on a sick woman, and she became well. The patriarch elevated the Cross for all the people to see, and the people sang with tears: “Lord, have mercy!” Empress Helena had a silver case made and set the Honorable Cross in it. Later, the Persian Emperor Chozroes conquered Jerusalem, enslaved many people, and took the Lord’s Cross to Persia. The Cross remained in Persia for fourteen years. In the year 628 A.D. the Greek Emperor Heraclius defeated Chozroes and, with much ceremony, returned the Cross to Jerusalem. As he entered the city Emperor Heraclius carried the Cross on his back, but suddenly was unable to take another step. Patriarch Zacharias saw an angel preventing the emperor from bearing the Cross on the same path that the Lord had walked barefoot and humiliated. The patriarch communicated this vision to the emperor. The emperor removed his raiment and, in ragged attire and barefoot, took up the Cross, carried it to Golgotha, and placed it in the Church of the Resurrection, to the joy and consolation of the whole Christian world.
