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
2 Corinthians 8.1-5
1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
Gospel
Luke 9.1-6
1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.