Saints commemorated
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Saint of the day
Holy 33 Martyrs of Melitene
The Thirty-Three Martyrs of Melitene were a company of Cappadocian Christians put to death for Christ around the year 298, in the reign of Diocletian and Maximian. Their leader was Hieron, a farmer of Tiana renowned for his physical strength, who beat off the soldiers sent to conscript him into an army employed to persecute the faith, hid in a cave, and — persuaded at last to give himself up — refused with thirty-two fellow soldiers to sacrifice to the idols at Melitene. After torture, in which Hieron's arm was struck off, all were beheaded. Their memory is kept universally on November 7, and their martyrdom is depicted in the Menologion of Basil II.
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Saint Willibrord, first Bishop of Utrecht and Apostle of Holland (739)
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Lazarus of Mount Galesius
Lazarus the Wonderworker (c. 981–1053) was a Byzantine monk and stylite who became the great ascetic of Mount Galesion, a barren height north of Ephesus. Born in Lydia, he was formed for a decade in the monastery of Saint Sabbas in Palestine and ordained priest by the Patriarch of Jerusalem before returning to Asia Minor, where a vision of a fiery pillar ringed with singing angels drew him to Galesion. There he built a church of the Resurrection, took up the life of the pillar in imitation of the earlier stylites, and gathered a monastery about his column. Renowned for miracles in life and after his repose, he is commemorated on November 7 and July 17.
Troparia & kontakia
Kontakion — Tone 8
Thy toils and thy struggles surpassing nature, O wise one, the very Angels beheld and were amazed, and through them thou didst receive the crowns from God. Wherefore, as thou hast boldness before the Lord, save us from every kind of adversity, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father, our Shepherd.
Kontakion — Tone 4
A choir of Martyrs, far-shining and light-bearing, rising up in spirit, hath today made bright the Church with the beams of its wonders. Wherefore, as we keep their sacred memory, we entreat Thee, our Saviour: by their supplications deliver us from dangers, as a God merciful and the Friend of mankind.
Troparion — Tone 8
With vigilant prayers and with flowing streams of tears thou didst bedew thy pillar, and from the depths, with thy sighing, thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold; thou becamest a shepherd, granting pardon unto all, O our venerable Father Lazarus. Intercede with Christ God, that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 4
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest have received from Thee, our God, crowns incorruptible; for, possessed of Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and utterly destroyed the powerless boldness of the demons. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Readings
Epistle
Colossians 4.10-18
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Gospel
Luke 12.2-12
2For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 11And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.