4 Babah 1736
Vespers
Vespers Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 34 : 19 - 20
Chapter 34
| 19 |
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. |
| 20 |
He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. |
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Vespers Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Matthew the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Matthew 16 : 24 - 28
Chapter 16
| 24 |
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. |
| 25 |
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. |
| 26 |
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? |
| 27 |
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. |
| 28 |
Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." |
And Glory be to God forever.
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Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 37 : 39 - 40
Chapter 37
| 39 |
But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. |
| 40 |
And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him. |
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Matins Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Mark the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Mark 13 : 9 - 13
Chapter 13
| 9 |
"But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. |
| 10 |
And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. |
| 11 |
But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. |
| 12 |
Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. |
| 13 |
And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. |
And Glory be to God forever.
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Liturgy Gospel
Paulines Epistle
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Corinthians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
2 Corinthians 10 : 1 - 18
Chapter 10
| 1 |
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. |
| 2 |
But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. |
| 3 |
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. |
| 4 |
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, |
| 5 |
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, |
| 6 |
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. |
| 7 |
Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's. |
| 8 |
For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed-- |
| 9 |
lest I seem to terrify you by letters. |
| 10 |
"For his letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." |
| 11 |
Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. |
| 12 |
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. |
| 13 |
We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us--a sphere which especially includes you. |
| 14 |
For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; |
| 15 |
not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, |
| 16 |
to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment. |
| 17 |
But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD." |
| 18 |
For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. |
The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
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Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle 1 of St. Peter .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
1 Peter 4 : 1 - 11
Chapter 4
| 1 |
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, |
| 2 |
that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. |
| 3 |
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. |
| 4 |
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. |
| 5 |
They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. |
| 6 |
For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. |
| 7 |
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. |
| 8 |
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." |
| 9 |
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. |
| 10 |
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. |
| 11 |
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. |
Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Amen.
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Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 12 : 1 - 25
Chapter 12
| 1 |
Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. |
| 2 |
Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. |
| 3 |
And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. |
| 4 |
So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. |
| 5 |
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. |
| 6 |
And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. |
| 7 |
Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. |
| 8 |
Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." |
| 9 |
So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. |
| 10 |
When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. |
| 11 |
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." |
| 12 |
So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. |
| 13 |
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. |
| 14 |
When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. |
| 15 |
But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel." |
| 16 |
Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. |
| 17 |
But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place. |
| 18 |
Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. |
| 19 |
But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there. |
| 20 |
Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country. |
| 21 |
So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. |
| 22 |
And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" |
| 23 |
Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. |
| 24 |
But the word of God grew and multiplied. |
| 25 |
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. |
Acts 13 : 1 - 12
Chapter 13
| 1 |
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. |
| 2 |
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." |
| 3 |
Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. |
| 4 |
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. |
| 5 |
And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. |
| 6 |
Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, |
| 7 |
who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. |
| 8 |
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. |
| 9 |
Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him |
| 10 |
and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? |
| 11 |
And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. |
| 12 |
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. |
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
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Synaxarium
Day 4 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Babah, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.
The Fourth Day of the Blessed Month of Babah
The Martyrdom of St. Bacchus the Companion of St. Serguis
On this day was the martyrdom of St. Bacchus the companion of St. Serguis. When the Emperor Maximianus seized these saints, he tortured them with severe tortures after having stripped them from their army ranks. After this he sent them to Antiochus, King of Syria, who imprisoned St. Serguis, but ordered that St. Bacchus be stoned and slain, then cast into the river of Euphrates. God protected the body and the water waves brought it to the coast near two anchorites, ascetic holy men who were brothers. The angel of the Lord appeared and commanded them to go and carry away the body of the Saint. When they came to where the body was, they found an eagle and a lion protecting it, having spent the whole day and night guarding it without harming it although they were flesh eating beasts, for they had been commanded by God to protect the body. The two holy men took the body with great honor, singing hymns until they came to their cave where they buried it.
May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
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Divine Psalm
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 97 : 11 - 12
Chapter 97
| 11 |
Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. |
| 12 |
Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. |
Hallelujah.
Divine Gospel
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Luke 11 : 53 - 12 : 12
Chapter 11
| 53 |
And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, |
| 54 |
lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. |
Chapter 12
| 1 |
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. |
| 2 |
For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. |
| 3 |
Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. |
| 4 |
"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. |
| 5 |
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! |
| 6 |
"Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. |
| 7 |
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. |
| 8 |
"Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. |
| 9 |
But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. |
| 10 |
"And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. |
| 11 |
"Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. |
| 12 |
For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." |
And Glory be to God forever.
