Day 15 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Misra, 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 Fifteenth Day of the Blessed Month of Misra
Commemoration of the Departure of St.Mary know as Marina, the Ascetic
On this day, the church celebrates the commemoration of the departure of the nun St. Marina, who was the daughter of a very rich Christian man. Her name was Mariam, and her mother died when she was a little girl. Her father raised her, and brought her up well. When he wanted to give her in marriage, and to go himself and become a monk in one of the monasteries, she told him, "O my Father, why would you save your own soul, and destroy mine?" He answered saying, "What shall I do with you? You are a woman." She told him, "I will take off my woman's dress and will put on the garb of a man." She rose up straightway, shaved off the hair on her head and put on the garb of a man. When her father saw her strong determination and persistent desire, he gave all his possessions to the poor, keeping only a very little for himself, and he called her Marina instead of Mariam (Mary). Then he went to one of the monasteries, and lived in one of the cells with his daughter, for ten years, fighting the spiritual fight. Then her father, who was an old man, died. St. Marina was left by herself, and she doubled her fasting, prayers and increased her asceticism. No one knew that she was a woman, and they attributed her soft voice to her intense asceticism and vigilant prayers. Once the abbot of the monastery sent her, together with three monks, to the city on certain business of the monastery, and they lodged in an inn. That same night, one of the king's soldiers lodged in that inn, and he saw the daughter of the owner of the inn, and he defiled her virginity. He instructed her to tell her father, "that the young monk, Father Marina, did that to me." When she had conceived, and her father knew that, he asked her and she answered saying, "that it was the young monk, abba Marina, who did that to me." Her father then became angry, went to the monastery and began to curse and insult the monks.
The Abbot met with him, comforted and calmed him down and then sent him away. The Abbot then called this saint and rebuked her much. When she knew what had happened, she wept and bowed down and said, "I am young, I have sinned, forgive me O my Father." The Abbot was furious with her, and cast her out of the monastery. She dwelt outside of the monastery for a long time. When the daughter of the inn keeper had the baby, her father took him to St. Marina, set him down before her and left. She took the child, moved among the surrounding shepherds and nursed him with milk. She increased her fasting and prayers for the three years, that she was expelled from the monastery. The monks felt pity upon her and asked the Abbot to readmit her. The Abbot consented to their request and readmitted her to the monastery after he had laid heavy penalties and severe rules upon the Saint. She performed very hard labors, such as cooking, cleaning, and watering, as well as her regular monastic duties. When the child grew, he became a monk. After St. Marina had completed forty years, she fell ill for three days then departed in peace. The Abbot ordered to take off her old ragged clothes and dress her with new ones prior to carrying her to the place of praying. When they removed her clothing, and found that she was a woman, they all shouted out saying, "God have mercy." They informed the Abbot who came, marvelled, and wept because of what he had done to her. The Abbot then called the inn keeper and told him that the monk Marina was a woman not a man. The inn keeper went to where her body was and wept much. After they prayed over her body, they came forward to be blessed from her body. One of the monks had sight only in one eye, he put his face close to her body and immediately he gained sight in his blind eye. After she was buried, God allowed a devil to torment the inn keeper's daughter and the soldier, her friend, and brought them to where the Saint was buried and both confessed their iniquity in front of everyone. God manifested innumerable miracles through her blessed body.
May her prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.
Readings for Second Sunday of Misra
Vespers
Vespers Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 119 : 145 - 146
Chapter 119
| 145 | I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O LORD! I will keep Your statutes. |
| 146 | I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. |
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 Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Luke 18 : 9 - 17
Chapter 18
| 9 | Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: |
| 10 | "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. |
| 11 | The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. |
| 12 | I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' |
| 13 | And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!' |
| 14 | I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." |
| 15 | Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. |
| 16 | But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. |
| 17 | Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." |
And Glory be to God forever.
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 89 : 1 - 2
Chapter 89
| 1 | I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. |
| 2 | For I have said, "Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens." |
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 16 : 2 - 8
Chapter 16
| 2 | Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. |
| 3 | And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" |
| 4 | But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large. |
| 5 | And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. |
| 6 | But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. |
| 7 | But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." |
| 8 | So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. |
And Glory be to God forever.
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 Ephesians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Ephesians 6 : 1 - 23
Chapter 6
| 1 | Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. |
| 2 | "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: |
| 3 | "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." |
| 4 | And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. |
| 5 | Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; |
| 6 | not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, |
| 7 | with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, |
| 8 | knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. |
| 9 | And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. |
| 10 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. |
| 11 | Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. |
| 12 | For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. |
| 13 | Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. |
| 14 | Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, |
| 15 | and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; |
| 16 | above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. |
| 17 | And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; |
| 18 | praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- |
| 19 | and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, |
| 20 | for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. |
| 21 | But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; |
| 22 | whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. |
| 23 | Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle 1 of St. John .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
1 John 2 : 7 - 17
Chapter 2
| 7 | Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. |
| 8 | Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. |
| 9 | He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. |
| 10 | He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. |
| 11 | But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. |
| 12 | I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. |
| 13 | I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. |
| 14 | I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. |
| 15 | Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. |
| 16 | For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. |
| 17 | And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. |
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.
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 20 : 1 - 12
Chapter 20
| 1 | After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. |
| 2 | Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece |
| 3 | and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. |
| 4 | And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia--also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. |
| 5 | These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. |
| 6 | But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. |
| 7 | Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. |
| 8 | There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. |
| 9 | And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. |
| 10 | But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." |
| 11 | Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. |
| 12 | And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted. |
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
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 89 : 5,15
Chapter 89
| 5 | And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. |
| 15 | Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. |
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 5 : 27 - 39
Chapter 5
| 27 | After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." |
| 28 | So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. |
| 29 | Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. |
| 30 | And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" |
| 31 | Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. |
| 32 | I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." |
| 33 | Then they said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?" |
| 34 | And He said to them, "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? |
| 35 | But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days." |
| 36 | Then He spoke a parable to them: "No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. |
| 37 | And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. |
| 38 | But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. |
| 39 | And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, "The old is better."' |
And Glory be to God forever.