Day 14 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Tubah, 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 Fourteenth Day of the Blessed Month of Tubah
Departure of St.Archilidis (Arselidas)
On this day St. Archilidis departed. This fighter was born in the city of Rome. His father's name was "John" and his mother's name was "Sinclatiki". They were righteous before the Lord and lived according to His commandments. This saint's father died when he was 12 years old. When his mother wanted him to get married, he declined. She advised him to go to the Emperor to take over his father's position. She sent along with him two of their men and a precious gift to present to the Emperor. While they were sailing, they encountered a great tempest with high waves and strong winds, so that the ship was wrecked. The saint hung onto one of the ship's planks, and God saved him from drowning. When he made it to the seashore, he found a body of a dead man that was thrown to the shore by the waves. He reflected on the transience of the world and its temporal nature, and said to himself, "What do I have to do with this temporal world, and what would I profit when I die and become dust?" He arose and prayed to the Lord Christ to guide him to the right way.
Then he walked diligently until he arrived at the monastery of St. Romanus. He gave to the abbot of the monastery what was left of his money. He stayed there living an ascetic life, denying himself food and clothing, until he reached a level of perfection. The Lord granted him the gift of healing the sick. He made an oath not to ever see the face of any woman. When he did not return to his mother for a long time, and she did not know his whereabouts, she thought that he died, and she grieved much over him. She built a hostel for the poor and the strangers, and she lived in one of its rooms. One day she heard two merchants talking about her son and his holy monastic life and the grace of God that was upon him. When she inquired about him, she became sure that it was him, her own son. She arose quickly and went to that monastery. When she arrived, she sent to inform the saint of her arrival. St. Archilidis answered her saying that he had made an oath before God not to ever see a woman. She repeated her request, and threatened that if he did not allow her to see him, she would go to the wilderness to be eaten by the wild beasts. When he learned of her persistence, and that he could not renege on his oath, he prayed to the Lord christ to take his soul. Then he told the gate keeper to allow her to come in while God had answered his request. When his mother entered his cell, she found that he had given up his spirit. She cried, wept and asked God to take her soul also, and God answered her prayer. When they tried to separate their bodies, they heard a voice coming from St. Archilidis' body saying, "Let my body be with the body of my mother, for I did not grant her own heart's desire to see me." They buried both of them in one grave. God honored this saint in performing many miracles.
May His prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Maximus, the Brother of St.Domadius
On this day also, St. Maximus, brother of St. Domadius, departed. They were the children of Emperor Walendianus.
May Their prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.
Vespers
Vespers Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 98 : 3,9
Chapter 98
| 3 | He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. |
| 9 | For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity. |
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 14 : 22 - 36
Chapter 14
| 22 | Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. |
| 23 | And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. |
| 24 | But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. |
| 25 | Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. |
| 26 | And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. |
| 27 | But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." |
| 28 | And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." |
| 29 | So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. |
| 30 | But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" |
| 31 | And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" |
| 32 | And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. |
| 33 | Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." |
| 34 | When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. |
| 35 | And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, |
| 36 | and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. |
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 97 : 1 - 2
Chapter 97
| 1 | The LORD reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad! |
| 2 | Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. |
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 3 : 7 - 12
Chapter 3
| 7 | But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea |
| 8 | and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. |
| 9 | So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. |
| 10 | For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. |
| 11 | And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." |
| 12 | But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known. |
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 Galatians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Galatians 5 : 2 - 10
Chapter 5
| 2 | Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. |
| 3 | And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. |
| 4 | You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. |
| 5 | For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. |
| 6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. |
| 7 | You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? |
| 8 | This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. |
| 9 | A little leaven leavens the whole lump. |
| 10 | I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. |
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 3 : 18 - 24
Chapter 3
| 18 | My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. |
| 19 | And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. |
| 20 | For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. |
| 21 | Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. |
| 22 | And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. |
| 23 | And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. |
| 24 | Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. |
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 15 : 22 - 29
Chapter 15
| 22 | Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. |
| 23 | They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. |
| 24 | Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"--to whom we gave no such commandment-- |
| 25 | it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, |
| 26 | men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 27 | We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. |
| 28 | For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: |
| 29 | that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. |
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 83 : 7
Chapter 83
| 7 | Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; |
Psalms 65 : 2
Chapter 65
| 2 | O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. |
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 : 27 - 36
Chapter 11
| 27 | And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" |
| 28 | But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" |
| 29 | And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, "This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. |
| 30 | For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. |
| 31 | The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. |
| 32 | The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. |
| 33 | "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. |
| 34 | The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. |
| 35 | Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. |
| 36 | If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light." |
And Glory be to God forever.
إن عمل الفداء هو عمل يمارسه الله من سقوط الإنسان إلي نهاية العالم.
وعمل الفداء وعمل الخلاص شيء واحد, فإن الذي يقال له في الكتب المقدسة خلاصا يقال له أحيانا فداء وهذا يقال عن السيد المسيح إنه مخلص شعبه.
إن عمل الفداء فقط يراد به علي حصر المعني مشتري الخلاص بإعطاء بدل وعلي ذلك لم يكن زمانه طويلا لأنه بدأ بتجسيد السيد المسيح وينتهي يوم قيامته الذي فيه أكمل عمل الفداء.
إن عمل الفداء الذي قدمه الابن يسوع المسيح الأقنوم الثاني من الثالوث الأقدس من حيث أنه وسيط سواء كان ذلك في عمله النبوي أو الكهنوتي.
وعلي كل ما عمله السيد المسيح له المجد في الأرض بالطبيعة البشرية. فداء الإنسان هو رجوع إلي الطبيعة الأولي.
إن الفداء هو عمل الله في الانتصار علي هدف الشيطان ضد محبته للإنسان, عندما قال لأمنا حواء انتما تصيران مثال الله. وسقط أبونا آدم والبشرية كلها, فجاء الصوت الإلهي نسل المرأة يسحق رأس الحية.