Sunday, January 15, 2012

Forefeast of Theophany

Fasting: No fastPolyeleosJulian: January 2

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9

Read in context

1But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.Log in to add notes

2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,Log in to add notes

3And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.Log in to add notes

4For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.Log in to add notes

5And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.Log in to add notes

6As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.Log in to add notes

7And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.Log in to add notes

8They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.Log in to add notes

9They that 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.Log in to add notes

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3

Read in context

5:15But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.Log in to add notes

5:16Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.Log in to add notes

5:17He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.Log in to add notes

5:18He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet.Log in to add notes

5:19He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.Log in to add notes

5:20His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.Log in to add notes

5:21Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.Log in to add notes

5:22And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.Log in to add notes

5:23Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.Log in to add notes

6:1Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.Log in to add notes

6:2Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.Log in to add notes

6:3For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.Log in to add notes

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15

Read in context

7But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.Log in to add notes

8For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.Log in to add notes

9But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.Log in to add notes

10He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated.Log in to add notes

11Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.Log in to add notes

12For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind.Log in to add notes

13He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:Log in to add notes

14For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.Log in to add notes

15This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.Log in to add notes

Matins Gospel

Matthew 11.27-30

Read in context

27All 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.Log in to add notes

28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Log in to add notes

29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.Log in to add notes

30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.Log in to add notes

Epistle

1 Timothy 1.15-17

Read in context

15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.Log in to add notes

16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.Log in to add notes

17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.Log in to add notes

Epistle — St Seraphim

Galatians 5.22-6.2

Read in context

5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Log in to add notes

5:23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.Log in to add notes

5:24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.Log in to add notes

5:25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.Log in to add notes

5:26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.Log in to add notes

6:1Brethren, 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.Log in to add notes

6:2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.Log in to add notes

Gospel

Luke 18.18-27

Read in context

18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?Log in to add notes

19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.Log in to add notes

20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.Log in to add notes

21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.Log in to add notes

22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.Log in to add notes

23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.Log in to add notes

24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!Log in to add notes

25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.Log in to add notes

26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?Log in to add notes

27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.Log in to add notes

Gospel — St Seraphim

Luke 6.17-23

Read in context

17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;Log in to add notes

18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.Log in to add notes

19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.Log in to add notes

20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.Log in to add notes

21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.Log in to add notes

22Blessed 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.Log in to add notes

23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.Log in to add notes