Weekly Diocesan Bulletin - Sunday, January 14, 2017
THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST;SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY; CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST; SAINT BASIL THE GREAT; JULIAN NEW YEAR
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION - TONE SEVEN:
By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death! To the thief, Thou didst open Paradise! For the myrrh-bearers, Thou didst change weeping into joy! And Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that Thou art risen, granting the world great mercy!
CIRCUMCISION TROPARION - TONE ONE:
O Jesus, sitting on the heavenly fiery throne together with Your Father, who has no beginning, and Your Divine Spirit; You have condescended to be incarnate on the earth from a virgin, Your Mother who knew no husband. You have also condescended to be circumcised in the flesh on the eighth day. Glory to Your all-merciful will! Glory to Your plan of redemption! Glory to Your condescension, O Only One who loves mankind.
TROPARION TO SAINT BASIL THE GREAT - TONE ONE:
Your teaching has spread over the whole world, which has accepted your instructions revealing the mystery of the Divinity. You clearly explained the nature of things and improved the human way of life. Holy Father and royal priest, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION - TONE SEVEN:
The dominion of death can no longer hold man captive, for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers! Hell is bound, while the prophets rejoice and cry: ‘The Savior has come to those in faith! Enter you faithful into the Resurrection!’
KONTAKION TO SAINT BASIL THE GREAT - TONE FOUR:
You have been a solid foundation of the Church, and for all mankind strengthened by your teaching, you secured an inalienable dignity O Venerable Basil, heaven-sent to us.
CIRCUMCISION KONTAKION - TONE THREE:
The Lord of All endures circumcision, thus in His benevolence, circumcising the sins of men. Today He grants salvation to the world while Basil, the Creator's high priest, Christ's saintly and illustrious interpreter of mysteries, rejoices in heaven.
EPISTLE READING
THE PROKEIMENON IN TONE EIGHT:
Let all the earth worship Thee and praise Thee! Let it praise Thy name, O Most High.
SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY: 2 TIMOTHY 4: 5-8
Brethren, when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
FOR THE CIRCUMCISION: COLOSSIANS 2: 8-12
Brethren, beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
THE ALLELUIA VERSES:
The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
GOSPEL READING
SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY: MARK 1: 1-8
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
FOR THE CIRCUMCISION: LUKE 2: 20-21, 40-52
At that time the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Source: Western American Diocese
