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Sunday, 22 December 2024

Sunday before Nativity

26th Sunday after Pentecost

231 days after Pascha · Tone 1 · Liturgy · Nativity Fast (Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

Holy Great Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer-from-Bonds

290

Saint Anastasia was a Roman by birth who suffered for Christ during the persecutions of Diocletian, around the year 304. Her father Praetextatus was a pagan, but her mother Fausta was a secret Christian who, with the help of an educated and pious teacher named Chrysogonus, raised Anastasia in the Christian faith. After her mother's death, her father married her against her will to a pagan named Publius, but Anastasia preserved her virginity by feigning illness. Clothing herself in the garb of a beggar and accompanied by only one servant, she went about the prisons of Rome and beyond, feeding, tending to and often ransoming captives who were suffering for their faith in Christ. Through her prayers many were healed of the effects of poisons and harmful potions, and for this reason she was given the title Pharmakolytria, the Deliverer-from-Potions or Deliverer-from-Bonds. Following the martyrdom of her teacher Chrysogonus, she continued her ministry to imprisoned Christians in Macedonia and Illyricum. She was eventually arrested, brought before the prefect, and after enduring many torments was stretched between four pillars and burned alive at Sirmium. In the fifth century her relics were translated to Constantinople, where a great church was built in her honour, and a portion of her relics is now venerated at the Monastery of Saint Anastasia near Mount Athos.

Holy Martyr Chrysogonus of Aquileia

Saint Chrysogonus was a Roman Christian teacher of high learning and great piety who instructed the young Anastasia in the faith of Christ after the death of her mother Fausta. During the persecution of Diocletian he was imprisoned for his confession of Christ, and from his cell he continued to encourage and counsel Anastasia by letter as she ministered to imprisoned believers. After two years in prison Chrysogonus was brought before the emperor at Aquileia, where he was commanded to offer sacrifice to the idols. He boldly refused, and was beheaded by the seashore around the year 304. His body was cast into the sea but was recovered by a presbyter named Zoilus, who buried it with honour. A church was later built over the site of his tomb, and his memory has been kept by the Church together with that of his disciple Anastasia.

Holy Martyr Theodota and her three sons at Nicaea

Saint Theodota was a young widow of Nicaea, a friend and companion of Saint Anastasia in her labours of mercy among the imprisoned Christians. Together with Anastasia she encouraged believers held in chains during the persecution of Diocletian. Betrayed for her faith, she was arrested with her three small sons and brought before the governor. When the eldest of her sons, Evodius, was beaten with rods, he endured his sufferings with such courage that the prefect was astonished. Theodota and her children were finally cast into a heated furnace, where they all gave up their souls to God. The Church remembers her bold confession alongside that of Anastasia the Deliverer-from-Bonds.

Also commemorated: Greatmartyr Anastasia and Companions

Daily readings

Vespers

Genesis — Genesis 14.14-20

14And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 14And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan. 15And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 15And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

17And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.

17And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King’s Vale). 18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 20and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

Vespers

Deuteronomy — Deuteronomy 1.8-11, 15-17

8Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. 8Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which Jehovah sware unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

9And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:

9And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: 10The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. 10Jehovah your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. 11(The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) 11Jehovah, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you! 15So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. 15So I took the heads of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties, and captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. 16And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. 16And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the sojourner that is with him. 17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. 17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; ye shall hear the small and the great alike; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you ye shall bring unto me, and I will hear it.

Vespers

Deuteronomy — Deuteronomy 10.14-21

14Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. 14Behold, unto Jehovah thy God belongeth heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein. 15Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. 15Only Jehovah had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all peoples, as at this day. 16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: 17For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. 18He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. 18He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment. 19Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 19Love ye therefore the sojourner; for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 20Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear. 20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. 21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. 21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

4th Matins Gospel

Luke — Luke 24.1-12

1Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 4And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: 5and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8And they remembered his words, 8And they remembered his words, 9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 9and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 10Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles. 11And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. 11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass. 12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Epistle

— Sunday before Nativity weekly cycle

Hebrews — Hebrews 11.9-10, 17-23, 32-40

9By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

17By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back. 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

32And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: 32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 37they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 38(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. 39And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, 39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Gospel

— Sunday before Nativity weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 1.1-25

1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; 2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram; 3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 4and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon; 5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 5and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

6and Jesse begat David the king. And David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah; 7and Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa; 7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Uzziah; 8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9and Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah; 9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10and Hezekiah begat Manasseh; and Manasseh begat Amon; and Amon begat Josiah; 10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11and Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brethren, at the time of the carrying away to Babylon. 11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

12And after the carrying away to Babylon, Jechoniah begat Shealtiel; and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel; 13and Zerubbabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 14and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 16and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. 17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 20But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 22Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

23Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 24And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. 25and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.