Coptic for GOD

Coptic Date

Gregorian Date

DAILY VERSE

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done

After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

DAILY SYNEXARIUM

20 Baramoudah 1740

Day 20 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baramoudah, 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 Twentieth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramoudah

Martyrdom of St.Babnuda (Paphnute)

On this day, St. Babnuda (Paphnute), who was from Dandara (Dendereh), was martyred. This Saint was a hermit monk. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him to put on the priesthood vestments and go appear before Arianus, the governor. Arianus arrived with his ship and embarked by the city of Dandara, looking for that Saint. The Saint came to Arianus and cried out in his face with a loud voice, saying: "I am Christian, and I believe in the lord Christ." When the Governor knew that he was the anchorite for whom he sought, he ordered him to be tortured severely. He chained him with iron fetters and cast him in a dark prison. A heavenly light shone upon him and an angel of the Lord appeared to him, healed his wounds, and comforted him. There was in the city a man, whose name was Kyrillos, with his wife, his daughter, and twelve young men. The Saint preached them and confirmed them in faith. They were all martyred by cutting of their heads, and they received the crown of martyrdom. The Governor was raged of him and ordered to hang a rock in his neck and cast him in the sea, and St.Babnuda received the crown of martyrdom.

May His prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.

DAILY KATEMAROS

Readings of Palm Sunday

Vespers of Palm Sunday

Psalms 118 : 26 - 27

Chapter 118

26	Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.

27	God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

John 12 : 1 - 11

Chapter 12

1	Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.

2	There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

3	Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

4	But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said,

5	"Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

6	This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

7	But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.

8	For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."

9	Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

10	But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,

11	because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

Matins of Palm Sunday

Psalms 104 : 4 - 138 : 1 - 2

Chapter 104

4	Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.

5	You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever,

6	You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters stood above the mountains.

7	At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away.

8	They went up over the mountains; They went down into the valleys, To the place which You founded for them.

9	You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth.

10	He sends the springs into the valleys; They flow among the hills.

11	They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12	By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches.

13	He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.

14	He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth,

15	And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart.

16	The trees of the LORD are full of sap, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,

17	Where the birds make their nests; The stork has her home in the fir trees.

18	The high hills are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers.

19	He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its going down.

20	You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the beasts of the forest creep about.

21	The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.

22	When the sun rises, they gather together And lie down in their dens.

23	Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening.

24	O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions--

25	This great and wide sea, In which are innumerable teeming things, Living things both small and great.

26	There the ships sail about; There is that Leviathan Which You have made to play there.

27	These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season.

28	What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good.

29	You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

30	You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.

31	May the glory of the LORD endure forever; May the LORD rejoice in His works.

32	He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke.

33	I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34	May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.

35	May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

Chapter 138

1	I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You.

John 1 : 43 - 51

Chapter 1

43	The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

44	Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45	Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46	And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

47	Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"

48	Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

49	Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

50	Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, "I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

51	And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Psalms 87 : 3,5,7

Chapter 87

3	Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God!Selah

5	And of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her."

7	Both the singers and the players on instruments say, "All my springs are in you."

Luke 1 : 39 - 56

Chapter 1

39	Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,

40	and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

41	And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42	Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

43	But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44	For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45	Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

46	And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord,

47	And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48	For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

49	For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

50	And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.

51	He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52	He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.

53	He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

54	He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

55	As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."

56	And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Psalms 34 : 7 - 8

Chapter 34

7	The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

8	Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Luke 1 : 26 - 38

Chapter 1

26	Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27	to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

28	And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

29	But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

30	Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31	And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.

32	He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

33	And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

34	Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

35	And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

36	Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

37	For with God nothing will be impossible."

38	Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Psalms 103 : 20 - 21

Chapter 103

20	Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

21	Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Matthew 13 : 44 - 52

Chapter 13

44	"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45	"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,

46	who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47	"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,

48	which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.

49	So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,

50	and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

51	Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."

52	Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

Psalms 68 : 11 - 12

Chapter 68

11	The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it:

12	"Kings of armies flee, they flee, And she who remains at home divides the spoil.

Luke 10 : 1 - 12

Chapter 10

1	After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.

2	Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

3	Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

4	Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.

5	But whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house.'

6	And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

7	And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

8	Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

9	And heal the sick there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

10	But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,

11	"The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.'

12	But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

Psalms 19 : 3 - 4

Chapter 19

3	There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

4	Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

Matthew 10 : 1 - 8

Chapter 10

1	And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

2	Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3	Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4	Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

5	These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.

6	But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7	And as you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

8	Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

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.

Luke 21 : 12 - 19

Chapter 21

12	But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

13	But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

14	Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

15	for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

16	You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

17	And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.

18	But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

19	By your patience possess your souls.

Psalms 68 : 35,3

Chapter 68

35	O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

3	But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.

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."

Psalms 84 : 1 - 2

Chapter 84

1	How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!

2	My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Luke 13 : 22 - 30

Chapter 13

22	And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

23	Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them,

24	"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

25	When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, "Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, "I do not know you, where you are from,'

26	then you will begin to say, "We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.'

27	But He will say, "I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.'

28	There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.

29	They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.

30	And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."

Psalms 29 : 3 - 4

Chapter 29

3	The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters.

4	The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

Matthew 3 : 13 - 17

Chapter 3

13	Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14	And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"

15	But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.

16	When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

17	And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Psalms 118 : 19 - 20

Chapter 118

19	Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the LORD.

20	This is the gate of the LORD, Through which the righteous shall enter.

Matthew 21 : 1 - 11

Chapter 21

1	Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

2	saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.

3	And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, "The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."

4	All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5	"Tell the daughter of Zion, "Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."'

6	So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.

7	They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.

8	And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9	Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!"

10	And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

11	So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."

Psalms 52 : 8 - 9

Chapter 52

8	But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

9	I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.

Luke 7 : 28 - 35

Chapter 7

28	For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

29	And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

30	But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

31	And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?

32	They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: "We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.'

33	For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon.'

34	The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'

35	But wisdom is justified by all her children."

Psalms 68 : 19,35

Chapter 68

19	Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!Selah

35	O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

Luke 19 : 1 - 10

Chapter 19

1	Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2	Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

3	And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.

4	So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.

5	And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

6	So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

7	But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."

8	Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."

9	And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;

10	for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Liturgy of Palm Sunday

Hebrews 9 : 11 - 28

Chapter 9

11	But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

12	Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

13	For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

14	how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15	And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

16	For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17	For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

18	Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.

19	For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

20	saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you."

21	Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.

22	And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

23	Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24	For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

25	not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another--

26	He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

27	And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

28	so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

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.

Acts 28 : 11 - 31

Chapter 28

11	After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

12	And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

13	From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,

14	where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

15	And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16	Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: "Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

18	who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

19	But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

20	For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

21	Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.

22	But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere."

23	So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.

24	And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

25	So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

26	saying, "Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

27	For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."'

28	"Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!"

29	And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

30	Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,

31	preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Psalms 81 : 3,1,2

Chapter 81

3	Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.

1	Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.

2	Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute.

Matthew 21 : 1 - 17

Chapter 21

1	Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

2	saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.

3	And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, "The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."

4	All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5	"Tell the daughter of Zion, "Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."'

6	So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.

7	They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.

8	And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9	Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!"

10	And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

11	So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."

12	Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

13	And He said to them, "It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a "den of thieves."'

14	Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

15	But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant

16	and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?"

17	Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

Mark 11 : 1 - 11

Chapter 11

1	Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples;

2	and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.

3	And if anyone says to you, "Why are you doing this?' say, "The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."

4	So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.

5	But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?"

6	And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.

7	Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.

8	And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9	Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna! "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'

10	Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

11	And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Luke 19 : 29 - 48

Chapter 19

29	And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples,

30	saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here.

31	And if anyone asks you, "Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, "Because the Lord has need of it."'

32	So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them.

33	But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?"

34	And they said, "The Lord has need of him."

35	Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.

36	And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.

37	Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,

38	saying: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39	And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."

40	But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."

41	Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,

42	saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

43	For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,

44	and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

45	Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,

46	saying to them, "It is written, "My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a "den of thieves."'

47	And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him,

48	and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

Psalms 65 : 1 - 2

Chapter 65

1	Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed.

2	O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come.

John 12 : 12 - 19

Chapter 12

12	The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13	took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!"

14	Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:

15	"Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt."

16	His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

17	Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.

18	For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.

19	The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"

General Funeral Prayers

Ezekiel 37 : 1 - 14

Chapter 37

1	The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.

2	Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.

3	And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."

4	Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, "O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!

5	Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.

6	I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.'

7	So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.

8	Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

9	Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.'

10	So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11	Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, "Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!'

12	Therefore prophesy and say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13	Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.

14	I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD."'

1 Corinthians 15 : 1 - 23

Chapter 15

1	Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,

2	by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.

3	For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4	and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

5	and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

6	After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.

7	After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

8	Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

9	For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10	But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11	Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

12	Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13	But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.

14	And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

15	Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise.

16	For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.

17	And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

18	Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

19	If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

20	But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21	For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

22	For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

23	But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.

Psalms 65 : 4

Chapter 65

4	Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.

John 5 : 19 - 29

Chapter 5

19	Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

20	For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

21	For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

22	For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

23	that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

24	"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

25	Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.

26	For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

27	and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

28	Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice

29	and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Ninth hour of the day of Palm Sunday

Lamentations 1 : 1 - 4

Chapter 1

1	How lonely sits the city That was full of people! How like a widow is she, Who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces Has become a slave!

2	She weeps bitterly in the night, Her tears are on her cheeks; Among all her lovers She has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies.

3	Judah has gone into captivity, Under affliction and hard servitude; She dwells among the nations, She finds no rest; All her persecutors overtake her in dire straits.

4	The roads to Zion mourn Because no one comes to the set feasts. All her gates are desolate; Her priests sigh, Her virgins are afflicted, And she is in bitterness.

Zephaniah 3 : 11 - 20

Chapter 3

11	In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds In which you transgress against Me; For then I will take away from your midst Those who rejoice in your pride, And you shall no longer be haughty In My holy mountain.

12	I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

13	The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid."

14	Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

15	The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.

16	In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.

17	The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

18	"I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, Who are among you, To whom its reproach is a burden.

19	Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame.

20	At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I return your captives before your eyes," Says the LORD.

Psalms 8 : 2 - 3

Chapter 8

2	Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

3	When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

Matthew 21 : 10 - 17

Chapter 21

10	And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

11	So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."

12	Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

13	And He said to them, "It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a "den of thieves."'

14	Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

15	But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant

16	and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?"

17	Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

Eleventh hour of the day of Palm Sunday

Isaiah 48 : 12 - 22

Chapter 48

12	"Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.

13	Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together.

14	"All of you, assemble yourselves, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; He shall do His pleasure on Babylon, And His arm shall be against the Chaldeans.

15	I, even I, have spoken; Yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way will prosper.

16	"Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me."

17	Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.

18	Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

19	Your descendants also would have been like the sand, And the offspring of your body like the grains of sand; His name would not have been cut off Nor destroyed from before Me."

20	Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing, Declare, proclaim this, Utter it to the end of the earth; Say, "The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!"

21	And they did not thirst When He led them through the deserts; He caused the waters to flow from the rock for them; He also split the rock, and the waters gushed out.

22	"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."

Nahum 1 : 2 - 8

Chapter 1

2	God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;

3	The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.

4	He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts.

5	The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.

6	Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him.

7	The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

8	But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.

Psalms 8 : 1,2

Chapter 8

1	O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

2	Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

Matthew 20 : 20 - 28

Chapter 20

20	Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21	And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."

22	But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able."

23	So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."

24	And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.

25	But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.

26	Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

27	And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--

28	just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

First hour of the eve of Holy Monday

Zephaniah 1 : 2 - 12

Chapter 1

2	"I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land," Says the LORD;

3	"I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land," Says the LORD.

4	"I will stretch out My hand against Judah, And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, The names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests--

5	Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; Those who worship and swear oaths by the LORD, But who also swear by Milcom;

6	Those who have turned back from following the LORD, And have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him."

7	Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; For the day of the LORD is at hand, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests.

8	"And it shall be, In the day of the LORD's sacrifice, That I will punish the princes and the king's children, And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.

9	In the same day I will punish All those who leap over the threshold, Who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

10	"And there shall be on that day," says the LORD, "The sound of a mournful cry from the Fish Gate, A wailing from the Second Quarter, And a loud crashing from the hills.

11	Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh! For all the merchant people are cut down; All those who handle money are cut off.

12	"And it shall come to pass at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, "The LORD will not do good, Nor will He do evil.'

Psalms 27 : 6 - 8

Chapter 27

6	And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

7	Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8	When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."

John 12 : 20 - 36

Chapter 12

20	Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.

21	Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."

22	Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23	But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

24	Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

25	He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26	If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

27	"Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? "Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

28	Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."

29	Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him."

30	Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.

31	Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

32	And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."

33	This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

34	The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

35	Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.

36	While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

Third hour of the eve of Holy Monday

Zephaniah 1 : 14 - 2 : 2

Chapter 1

14	The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out.

15	That day is a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress, A day of devastation and desolation, A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness,

16	A day of trumpet and alarm Against the fortified cities And against the high towers.

17	"I will bring distress upon men, And they shall walk like blind men, Because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, And their flesh like refuse."

18	Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the day of the LORD's wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured By the fire of His jealousy, For He will make speedy riddance Of all those who dwell in the land.

Chapter 2

1	Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation,

2	Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD's anger comes upon you!

Psalms 28 : 9,2

Chapter 28

9	Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.

2	Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Luke 9 : 18 - 22

Chapter 9

18	And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"

19	So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again."

20	He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."

21	And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one,

22	saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."

Sixth hour of the eve of Holy Monday

Joel 1 : 5 - 15

Chapter 1

5	Awake, you drunkards, and weep; And wail, all you drinkers of wine, Because of the new wine, For it has been cut off from your mouth.

6	For a nation has come up against My land, Strong, and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.

7	He has laid waste My vine, And ruined My fig tree; He has stripped it bare and thrown it away; Its branches are made white.

8	Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth For the husband of her youth.

9	The grain offering and the drink offering Have been cut off from the house of the LORD; The priests mourn, who minister to the LORD.

10	The field is wasted, The land mourns; For the grain is ruined, The new wine is dried up, The oil fails.

11	Be ashamed, you farmers, Wail, you vinedressers, For the wheat and the barley; Because the harvest of the field has perished.

12	The vine has dried up, And the fig tree has withered; The pomegranate tree, The palm tree also, And the apple tree--All the trees of the field are withered; Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.

13	Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; Wail, you who minister before the altar; Come, lie all night in sackcloth, You who minister to my God; For the grain offering and the drink offering Are withheld from the house of your God.

14	Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.

15	Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.

Psalms 29 : 1 - 2

Chapter 29

1	Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength.

2	Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Mark 10 : 32 - 34

Chapter 10

32	Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:

33	"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;

34	and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."

Ninth hour of the eve of Holy Monday

Micah 2 : 3 - 10

Chapter 2

3	Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, against this family I am devising disaster, From which you cannot remove your necks; Nor shall you walk haughtily, For this is an evil time.

4	In that day one shall take up a proverb against you, And lament with a bitter lamentation, saying: "We are utterly destroyed! He has changed the heritage of my people; How He has removed it from me! To a turncoat He has divided our fields."'

5	Therefore you will have no one to determine boundaries by lot In the assembly of the LORD.

6	"Do not prattle," you say to those who prophesy. So they shall not prophesy to you; They shall not return insult for insult.

7	You who are named the house of Jacob: "Is the Spirit of the LORD restricted? Are these His doings? Do not My words do good To him who walks uprightly?

8	"Lately My people have risen up as an enemy--You pull off the robe with the garment From those who trust you, as they pass by, Like men returned from war.

9	The women of My people you cast out From their pleasant houses; From their children You have taken away My glory forever.

10	"Arise and depart, For this is not your rest; Because it is defiled, it shall destroy, Yes, with utter destruction.

Psalms 17 : 6,1

Chapter 17

6	I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.

1	Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.

Mark 8 : 27 - 33

Chapter 8

27	Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?"

28	So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets."

29	He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

30	Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

31	And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32	He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

33	But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Eleventh hour of the eve of Holy Monday

Micah 3 : 1 - 4

Chapter 3

1	And I said: "Hear now, O heads of Jacob, And you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice?

2	You who hate good and love evil; Who strip the skin from My people, And the flesh from their bones;

3	Who also eat the flesh of My people, Flay their skin from them, Break their bones, And chop them in pieces Like meat for the pot, Like flesh in the caldron."

4	Then they will cry to the LORD, But He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, Because they have been evil in their deeds.

Psalms 18 : 17 - 18

Chapter 18

17	He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me.

18	They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support.

Matthew 17 : 19 - 23

Chapter 17

19	Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"

20	So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

21	However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

22	Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,

23	and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

DAILY CONTEMPLATION

The sacrifice of Abraham

St Cyril the Great

The Sacrifice of Abraham
Reveals the Father-Heart of God

Since God’s promise to Abraham concerning Isaac [that all nations would be blessed through him] could not be realised without the cross of Christ, through which all nations would be blessed, and because God wanted to show Abraham the greatness of the grace he was giving him in sacrificing his only Son for the salvation of his descendants, he had to say to him “Take your son…”, a saying pregnant in meaning. Then God added emphatically “…Isaac, the one you love, and offer him to me on one of these mountains,” as though he was igniting in Abraham the flames of compassion befitting a father’s attitude to his one and only son. It is as if he was saying “So that you may learn through suffering what the Father of all will bear when he will offer his beloved Son as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world.” This is what the Saviour himself expressed in great admiration when he said: “God so loved the world that he gave up his only Son…”