2 Afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ

Tuesday, December 27, 2022 Nativity to Theophany

Holy First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen (Protomartyr Stephen)Our Righteous Father Theodore the Branded, brother of St Theophanes the Hymnographer

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Divine Liturgy

Hebrews 4:1–13 § 310

Hebrews 4:1–13 § 310

Brethren, since a promise remains of entering into His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the Gospel was preached unto us as well as unto them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “As I have sworn in My wrath, they shall not enter into My rest,” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He spoke in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God did rest on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this place: “They shall not enter into My rest.” Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of unbelief, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he that has entered into His rest, has himself has also ceased from his works, as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him to whom we have to do.

Acts § 17 (St Stephen)

Acts (St Stephen) § 17

St Stephen

, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrénians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilícia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an Angel. Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotámia, before he dwelt in Háran, and said unto him, ‘Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and come to a land that I will show thee.’ Then he came out of the land of the Chaldéans and dwelt in Háran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. And [God] gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough [as] to set his foot on… But Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High dwells not in temples made with hands, as the Prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? saith the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? Hath not My hand made all these things?’ You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always do resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the Prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the disposition of Angels and have not kept it.” When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Behold! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord; and [they] cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling upon God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Mark 11.11-23 § 50

Mark 11.11-23 § 50

11

And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

Καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἰς τὸ ἱερόν· καὶ περιβλεψάμενος πάντα, ὀψίας ἤδη οὔσης τῆς ὥρας, ἐξῆλθεν εἰς Βηθανίαν μετὰ τῶν δώδεκα.

[Заⷱ҇ 50] И҆ вни́де во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ і҆и҃съ и҆ въ це́рковь: и҆ соглѧ́давъ всѧ̑, по́здѣ ᲂу҆жѐ сꙋ́щꙋ часꙋ̀, и҆зы́де въ виѳа́нїю со ѻ҆бѣмана́десѧте.

12

And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

Καὶ τῇ ἐπαύριον ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ Βηθανίας ἐπείνασε·

И҆ наꙋ́трїе и҆зше́дшымъ и҆̀мъ ѿ виѳа́нїи, взалка̀:

13

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

καὶ ἰδὼν συκῆν ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἔχουσαν φύλλα, ἦλθεν εἰ ἄρα τι εὑρήσει ἐν αὐτῇ· καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὴν οὐδὲν εὗρεν εἰ μὴ φύλλα· οὐ γὰρ ἦν καιρὸς σύκων.

и҆ ви́дѣвъ смоко́вницꙋ и҆здале́ча, и҆мꙋ́щꙋ ли́ствїе, прїи́де, а҆́ще ᲂу҆́бѡ что̀ ѡ҆брѧ́щетъ на не́й: и҆ прише́дъ къ не́й, ничесѡ́же ѡ҆брѣ́те, то́кмѡ ли́ствїе: не ᲂу҆̀ бо бѣ̀ вре́мѧ смо́квамъ.

14

And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτῇ· μηκέτι ἐκ σοῦ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μηδεὶς καρπὸν φάγοι. καὶ ἤκουον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ.

И҆ ѿвѣща́въ і҆и҃съ речѐ є҆́й: да не ктомꙋ̀ ѿ тебє̀ во вѣ́ки никто́же плода̀ снѣ́сть. И҆ слы́шахꙋ ᲂу҆чн҃цы̀ є҆гѡ̀.

15

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Καὶ ἔρχονται πάλιν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα· καὶ εἰσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν ἤρξατο ἐκβάλλειν τοὺς πωλοῦντας καὶ τοὺς ἀγοράζοντας ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, καὶ τὰς τραπέζας τῶν κολλυβιστῶν καὶ τὰς καθέδρας τῶν πωλούντων τὰς περιστερὰς κατέστρεψε,

И҆ прїидо́ша (па́ки) во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ. И҆ вше́дъ і҆и҃съ въ це́рковь, нача́тъ и҆згони́ти продаю́щыѧ и҆ кꙋпꙋ́ющыѧ въ це́ркви: и҆ трапє́зы торжникѡ́мъ и҆ сѣда̑лища продаю́щихъ гѡ́лꙋби и҆спрове́рже:

16

And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

καὶ οὐκ ἤφιεν ἵνα τις διενέγκῃ σκεῦος διὰ τοῦ ἱεροῦ,

и҆ не даѧ́ше, да кто̀ мимонесе́тъ сосꙋ́дъ сквозѣ̀ це́рковь.

17

And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

καὶ ἐδίδασκε λέγων αὐτοῖς· οὐ γέγραπται ὅτι ὁ οἶκός μου οἶκος προσευχῆς κληθήσεται πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν; ὑμεῖς δὲ αὐτὸν ἐποιήσατε σπήλαιον λῃστῶν.

И҆ ᲂу҆ча́ше, гл҃ѧ и҆̀мъ: нѣ́сть ли пи́сано, ꙗ҆́кѡ хра́мъ мо́й хра́мъ моли́твы нарече́тсѧ всѣ̑мъ ꙗ҆зы́кѡмъ; вы́ же сотвори́сте є҆го̀ верте́пъ разбо́йникѡмъ.

18

And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, καὶ ἐζήτουν πῶς αὐτὸν ἀπολέσωσιν· ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ αὐτόν, ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἐξεπλήσσετο ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ.

И҆ слы́шаша кни́жницы и҆ а҆рхїере́є, и҆ и҆ска́хꙋ, ка́кѡ є҆го̀ погꙋбѧ́тъ: боѧ́хꙋбосѧ є҆гѡ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ ве́сь наро́дъ дивлѧ́шесѧ ѡ҆ ᲂу҆ч҃нїи є҆гѡ̀.

19

And when even was come, he went out of the city.

καὶ ὅτε ὀψὲ ἐγένετο, ἐξεπορεύετο ἔξω τῆς πόλεως.

И҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ по́здѣ бы́сть, и҆схожда́ше во́нъ и҆з̾ гра́да.

20

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

Καὶ παραπορευόμενοι πρωῒ εἶδον τὴν συκῆν ἐξηραμμένην ἐκ ριζῶν.

И҆ ᲂу҆́трѡ мимоходѧ́ще, ви́дѣша смоко́вницꙋ и҆зсо́хшꙋ и҆з̾ коре́нїѧ.

21

And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

καὶ ἀναμνησθεὶς ὁ Πέτρος λέγει αὐτῷ· ραββί, ἴδε ἡ συκῆ ἣν κατηράσω ἐξήρανται.

И҆ воспомѧнꙋ́въ пе́тръ глаго́ла є҆мꙋ̀: равві̀, ви́ждь, смоко́вница, ю҆́же проклѧ́лъ є҆сѝ, ᲂу҆́сше.

22

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγει αὐτοῖς· ἔχετε πίστιν Θεοῦ.

И҆ ѿвѣща́въ і҆и҃съ гл҃а и҆̀мъ:

23

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ὃς ἂν εἴπῃ τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, ἄρθητι καὶ βλήθητι εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν, καὶ μὴ διακριθῇ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, ἀλλὰ πιστεύσει ὅτι ἃ λέγει γίνεται, ἔσται αὐτῷ ὃ ἐὰν εἴπῃ.

[Заⷱ҇ 51] и҆мѣ́йте вѣ́рꙋ бж҃їю: а҆ми́нь бо гл҃ю ва́мъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ, и҆́же а҆́ще рече́тъ горѣ̀ се́й: дви́гнисѧ и҆ ве́рзисѧ въ мо́ре: и҆ не размы́слитъ въ се́рдцы свое́мъ, но вѣ́рꙋ и҆́метъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ є҆́же глаго́летъ, быва́етъ: бꙋ́детъ є҆мꙋ̀, є҆́же а҆́ще рече́тъ:

Matthew 21.33-42 § 87 (St Stephen)

Matthew 21.33-42 (St Stephen) § 87

St Stephen

33

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

Ἄλλην παραβολὴν ἀκούσατε. ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν οἰκοδεσπότης, ὅστις ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα καὶ φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκε καὶ ὤρυξεν ἐν αὐτῷ ληνὸν καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε πύργον, καὶ ἐξέδοτο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν.

[Заⷱ҇ 87] И҆́нꙋ при́тчꙋ слы́шите. Человѣ́къ нѣ́кїй бѣ̀ домови́тъ, и҆́же насадѝ вїногра́дъ, и҆ ѡ҆пло́томъ ѡ҆градѝ є҆го̀, и҆ и҆скопа̀ въ не́мъ точи́ло, и҆ созда̀ сто́лпъ, и҆ вдадѐ и҆̀ дѣ́лателємъ, и҆ ѿи́де.

34

And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

ὅτε δὲ ἤγγισεν ὁ καιρὸς τῶν καρπῶν, ἀπέστειλε τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς λαβεῖν τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ.

Є҆гда́ же прибли́жисѧ вре́мѧ плодѡ́въ, посла̀ рабы̑ своѧ̑ къ дѣ́лателємъ прїѧ́ти плоды̀ є҆гѡ̀:

35

And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

καὶ λαβόντες οἱ γεωργοὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὃν μὲν ἔδειραν, ὃν δὲ ἀπέκτειναν, ὃν δὲ ἐλιθοβόλησαν.

и҆ є҆́мше дѣ́лателє рабѡ́въ є҆гѡ̀, ѻ҆́ваго ᲂу҆́бѡ би́ша, ѻ҆́ваго же ᲂу҆би́ша, ѻ҆́ваго же ка́менїемъ поби́ша.

36

Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους πλείονας τῶν πρώτων, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς ὡσαύτως.

Па́ки посла̀ и҆́ны рабы̑ мно́жайшѧ пе́рвыхъ: и҆ сотвори́ша и҆̀мъ та́коже.

37

But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

ὕστερον δὲ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων· ἐντραπήσονται τὸν υἱόν μου.

Послѣди́ же посла̀ къ ни̑мъ сы́на своего̀, глаго́лѧ: ᲂу҆срамѧ́тсѧ сы́на моегѡ̀.

38

But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἰδόντες τὸν υἱὸν εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος· δεῦτε ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτὸν καὶ κατάσχωμεν τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ.

Дѣ́лателє же ви́дѣвше сы́на, рѣ́ша въ себѣ̀: се́й є҆́сть наслѣ́дникъ: прїиди́те, ᲂу҆бїе́мъ є҆го̀ и҆ ᲂу҆держи́мъ достоѧ́нїе є҆гѡ̀.

39

And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

καὶ λαβόντες αὐτὸν ἐξέβαλον ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, καὶ ἀπέκτειναν.

И҆ є҆́мше є҆го̀ и҆зведо́ша во́нъ и҆з̾ вїногра́да и҆ ᲂу҆би́ша.

40

When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

Ὅταν οὖν ἔλθῃ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, τί ποιήσει τοῖς γεωργοῖς ἐκείνοις;

Є҆гда̀ ᲂу҆̀бо прїи́детъ господи́нъ вїногра́да, что̀ сотвори́тъ дѣ́лателємъ тѣ̑мъ;

41

They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· κακοὺς κακῶς ἀπολέσει αὐτούς, καὶ τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἐκδώσεται ἄλλοις γεωργοῖς, οἵτινες ἀποδώσουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς καρποὺς ἐν τοῖς καιροῖς αὐτῶν.

Глаго́лаша є҆мꙋ̀: ѕлы́хъ ѕлѣ̀ погꙋби́тъ и҆̀хъ, и҆ вїногра́дъ преда́стъ и҆́нымъ дѣ́лателємъ, и҆̀же воздадѧ́тъ є҆мꙋ̀ плоды̀ во времена̀ своѧ̑.

42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς, λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας· παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστι θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν;

Гл҃а и҆̀мъ і҆и҃съ: нѣ́сте ли члѝ николи́же въ писа́нїихъ: ка́мень, є҆гѡ́же не въ рѧдꙋ̀ сотвори́ша {небрего́ша} зи́ждꙋщїи, се́й бы́сть во главꙋ̀ ᲂу҆́гла; ѿ гдⷭ҇а бы́сть сїѐ, и҆ є҆́сть ди́вно во ѻ҆́чїю ва́шєю {на́шєю}.

Reader's reference

Hebrews 4:1–13 § 310 — Acts § 17

Prokeimena

Weekday Common

The righteous one shall rejoice in the Lord / and shall set his hope on Him.

VHear my voice, O God, when I pray unto Thee.

Alleluia

Weekday Common

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree and shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

VThey that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Tone 1Apostol

The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and Thy truth in the congregation of the Saints!

VGod is glorified in the council of the Saints!

Communion Hymn

Weekday Common

The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not fear evil tidings.

Reader's reference

Divine Liturgy

Prokeimena

Weekday Common

The righteous one shall rejoice in the Lord / and shall set his hope on Him.

VHear my voice, O God, when I pray unto Thee.

Alleluia

Weekday Common

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree and shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

VThey that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Tone 1Apostol

The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and Thy truth in the congregation of the Saints!

VGod is glorified in the council of the Saints!

Communion Hymn

Weekday Common

The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not fear evil tidings.