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Vespers Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 118:26-27 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!         We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.         God is the LORD,         And He has given us light;         Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. Gospel Jn 12:1-11 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 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. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 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. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." 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. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. Matins Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 68:19 & Psalm 68:35 Blessed be the Lord,         Who daily loads us with benefits,         The God of our salvation!Selah 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! Gospel Lk 19:1-10 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 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." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." 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." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Liturgy Pauline Catholic Acts Synaxarium Gospel Pauline Epistle From the epistle of teacher St. Paul the apostle to the (...), may his blessings be with us Amen. Heb 9:11-28 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. 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. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 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? 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. For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 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, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you." Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 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. 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; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another-- 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. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 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. The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen. Catholic Epistle The catholic epistle from the epistle of our teacher St. (...), may his blessings be with us Amen. My beloved. 1Pet 4:1-11 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, 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. 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. 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. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 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. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Do not love the world nor 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 holy blessings be with us all. Amen. Acts 28:11-31 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. 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. 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, who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 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. 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." 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. But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere." 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. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 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, saying,         "Go to this people and say:         "Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;         And seeing you will see, and not perceive;         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."' "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed in the holy Church of God. Amen. Synaxarium The Commemoration of the Great Prophet Ezekiel, the son of Buzi. The Martyrdom of St. Hepatius, Bishop of Gangra. Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter according to St. (...) may his blessing be with us all amen. Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 80:3 & Psalm 80:1 & Psalm 80:2 Restore us, O God;         Cause Your face to shine,         And we shall be saved!Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,         You who lead Joseph like a flock;         You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,         Stir up Your strength,         And come and save us! Gospel Mt 21:1-17 & Mk 11:1-11 & Lk 19:29-48 & Psalm 64:1,2 & Jn 12:12-19 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 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. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, "The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:         "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."' So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!" And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee." 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. 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."' Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 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 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'?" Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.        Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 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. 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." So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?" And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:         "Hosanna!         "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'         Blessed is the kingdom of our father David         That comes in the name of the Lord!         Hosanna in the highest!" 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. 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, 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. And if anyone asks you, "Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, "Because the Lord has need of it."' So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?" And they said, "The Lord has need of him." Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. 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, saying:         ""Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!'         Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 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. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 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." Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, "My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a "den of thieves."' And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation;         Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.         Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,         From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 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!" Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:         "Fear not, daughter of Zion;         Behold, your King is coming,         Sitting on a donkey's colt." 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. Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"

Matins Prophecies Genesis 49:1-28 And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:         "Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob,         And listen to Israel your father.         "Reuben, you are my firstborn,         My might and the beginning of my strength,         The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.         Unstable as water, you shall not excel,         Because you went up to your father's bed;         Then you defiled it--         He went up to my couch.         "Simeon and Levi are brothers;         Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.         Let not my soul enter their council;         Let not my honor be united to their assembly;         For in their anger they slew a man,         And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.         Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;         And their wrath, for it is cruel!         I will divide them in Jacob         And scatter them in Israel.         "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;         Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;         Your father's children shall bow down before you.         Judah is a lion's whelp;         From the prey, my son, you have gone up.         He bows down, he lies down as a lion;         And as a lion, who shall rouse him?         The scepter shall not depart from Judah,         Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,         Until Shiloh comes;         And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.         Binding his donkey to the vine,         And his donkey's colt to the choice vine,         He washed his garments in wine,         And his clothes in the blood of grapes.         His eyes are darker than wine,         And his teeth whiter than milk.         "Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea;         He shall become a haven for ships,         And his border shall adjoin Sidon.         "Issachar is a strong donkey,         Lying down between two burdens;         He saw that rest was good,         And that the land was pleasant;         He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden,         And became a band of slaves.         "Dan shall judge his people         As one of the tribes of Israel.         Dan shall be a serpent by the way,         A viper by the path,         That bites the horse's heels         So that its rider shall fall backward.         I have waited for your salvation, O LORD!         "Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him,         But he shall triumph at last.         "Bread from Asher shall be rich,         And he shall yield royal dainties.         "Naphtali is a deer let loose;         He uses beautiful words.         "Joseph is a fruitful bough,         A fruitful bough by a well;         His branches run over the wall.         The archers have bitterly grieved him,         Shot at him and hated him.         But his bow remained in strength,         And the arms of his hands were made strong         By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob         From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel,         By the God of your father who will help you,         And by the Almighty who will bless you         With blessings of heaven above,         Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,         Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.         The blessings of your father         Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors,         Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.         They shall be on the head of Joseph,         And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.         "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;         In the morning he shall devour the prey,         And at night he shall divide the spoil." All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.  Isaiah 40:9-31 O Zion,         You who bring good tidings,         Get up into the high mountain;         O Jerusalem,         You who bring good tidings,         Lift up your voice with strength,         Lift it up, be not afraid;         Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"         Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand,         And His arm shall rule for Him;         Behold, His reward is with Him,         And His work before Him.         He will feed His flock like a shepherd;         He will gather the lambs with His arm,         And carry them in His bosom,         And gently lead those who are with young.         Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,         Measured heaven with a span         And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?         Weighed the mountains in scales         And the hills in a balance?         Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,         Or as His counselor has taught Him?         With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him,         And taught Him in the path of justice?         Who taught Him knowledge,         And showed Him the way of understanding?         Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket,         And are counted as the small dust on the scales;         Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.         And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,         Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.         All nations before Him are as nothing,         And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.         To whom then will you liken God?         Or what likeness will you compare to Him?         The workman molds an image,         The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,         And the silversmith casts silver chains.         Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution         Chooses a tree that will not rot;         He seeks for himself a skillful workman         To prepare a carved image that will not totter.         Have you not known?         Have you not heard?         Has it not been told you from the beginning?         Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?         It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,         And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,         Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,         And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.         He brings the princes to nothing;         He makes the judges of the earth useless.         Scarcely shall they be planted,         Scarcely shall they be sown,         Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth,         When He will also blow on them,         And they will wither,         And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.         "To whom then will you liken Me,         Or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One.         Lift up your eyes on high,         And see who has created these things,         Who brings out their host by number;         He calls them all by name,         By the greatness of His might         And the strength of His power;         Not one is missing.         Why do you say, O Jacob,         And speak, O Israel:         "My way is hidden from the LORD,         And my just claim is passed over by my God"?         Have you not known?         Have you not heard?         The everlasting God, the LORD,         The Creator of the ends of the earth,         Neither faints nor is weary.         His understanding is unsearchable.         He gives power to the weak,         And to those who have no might He increases strength.         Even the youths shall faint and be weary,         And the young men shall utterly fall,         But those who wait on the LORD         Shall renew their strength;         They shall mount up with wings like eagles,         They shall run and not be weary,         They shall walk and not faint.  Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sing, O daughter of Zion!         Shout, O Israel!         Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,         O daughter of Jerusalem!         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.         In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:         "Do not fear;         Zion, let not your hands be weak.         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."         "I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly,         Who are among you,         To whom its reproach is a burden.         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.         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.  Zechariah 9:9-15 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!         Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!         Behold, your King is coming to you;         He is just and having salvation,         Lowly and riding on a donkey,         A colt, the foal of a donkey.         I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim         And the horse from Jerusalem;         The battle bow shall be cut off.         He shall speak peace to the nations;         His dominion shall be "from sea to sea,         And from the River to the ends of the earth.' "As for you also,         Because of the blood of your covenant,         I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.         Return to the stronghold,         You prisoners of hope.         Even today I declare         That I will restore double to you.         For I have bent Judah, My bow,         Fitted the bow with Ephraim,         And raised up your sons, O Zion,         Against your sons, O Greece,         And made you like the sword of a mighty man."         Then the LORD will be seen over them,         And His arrow will go forth like lightning.         The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet,         And go with whirlwinds from the south.         The LORD of hosts will defend them.        Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 88:2-4 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down to the pit. Gospel Luke 18:35-43 00 Liturgy Pauline Catholic Acts Synaxarium Gospel Pauline Epistle From the epistle of teacher St. Paul the apostle to the (...), may his blessings be with us Amen.                            1Corinthians 2:1-8 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen. Catholic Epistle The catholic epistle from the epistle of our teacher St. (...), may his blessings be with us Amen. My beloved.                   1Peter 1:25— & 1Peter 2:1-6 But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,         "Behold, I lay in Zion         A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,         And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Do not love the world nor 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 holy blessings be with us all. Amen.             Acts 27:38— & Acts 28:1-10 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed in the holy Church of God. Amen. Synaxarium The Departure of Anba Isaac, the Disciple of Anba Apollo. The Departure of Pope Gabriel II, the Seventy Pope of Alexandria, who was known as Ibn Turaik. Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter according to St. (...) may his blessing be with us all amen. Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 129:8 & Psalm 129:2 "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD!""Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me." Gospel John 11:1-45 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up." Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him." Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, "She is going to the tomb to weep there." Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!" And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?" Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him

Matins Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 25:7 & Psalm 25:8 & Psalm 25:11 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. For Your name's sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Gospel Mark 9:43-50 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- where         "Their worm does not die         And the fire is not quenched.' And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- where         "Their worm does not die         And the fire is not quenched.' And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire-- where         "Their worm does not die         And the fire is not quenched.' "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." Liturgy Pauline Catholic Acts Synaxarium Gospel Pauline Epistle From the epistle of teacher St. Paul the apostle to the (...), may his blessings be with us Amen. Romans 14:1-18 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written:         "As I live, says the LORD,         Every knee shall bow to Me,         And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen. Catholic Epistle The catholic epistle from the epistle of our teacher St. (...), may his blessings be with us Amen. My beloved. James 1:22-27 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Do not love the world nor 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 holy blessings be with us all. Amen. Acts 22:17-30 "Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, "Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.' So I said, "Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' Then He said to me, "Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles."' And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!" Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, "Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman." Then the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes." The commander answered, "With a large sum I obtained this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them. The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed in the holy Church of God. Amen. Synaxarium The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter according to St. (...) may his blessing be with us all amen. Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 118:19 & Psalm 118:20 Open to me the gates of righteousness;         I will go through them,         And I will praise the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD,         Through which the righteous shall enter. Gospel Matthew 7:13-21 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matins Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 25:7 & Psalm 25:8 & Psalm 25:11 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. For Your name's sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Gospel Mark 9:43-50 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- where         "Their worm does not die         And the fire is not quenched.' And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- where         "Their worm does not die         And the fire is not quenched.' And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire-- where         "Their worm does not die         And the fire is not quenched.' "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." Liturgy Pauline Epistle From the epistle of teacher St. Paul the apostle to the (...), may his blessings be with us Amen.                            Romans 14:1-18 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written:         "As I live, says the LORD,         Every knee shall bow to Me,         And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen. Catholic Epistle The catholic epistle from the epistle of our teacher St. (...), may his blessings be with us Amen. My beloved.                   James 1:22-27 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Do not love the world nor 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 holy blessings be with us all. Amen.             Acts 22:17-30 "Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, "Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.' So I said, "Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' Then He said to me, "Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles."' And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!" Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, "Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman." Then the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes." The commander answered, "With a large sum I obtained this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them. The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed in the holy Church of God. Amen. Synaxarium The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter according to St. (...) may his blessing be with us all amen. Psalm From the psalms of our teacher David the prophet, may his blessings be with us Amen. Psalm 118:19 & Psalm 118:20 Open to me the gates of righteousness;         I will go through them,         And I will praise the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD,         Through which the righteous shall enter. Gospel Matthew 7:13-21 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.