Wednesday 17 March 2027
8 Baramhat 1743
Readings for Wednesday of of the Great Lent
Prophecy
From the Book of Exodus of Moses, may his holy blessings be with us all. Amen
Exodus 2 : 11 - 20
| 11 | Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. |
| 12 | So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. |
| 13 | And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, "Why are you striking your companion?" |
| 14 | Then he said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" So Moses feared and said, "Surely this thing is known!" |
| 15 | When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well. |
| 16 | Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father's flock. |
| 17 | Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. |
| 18 | When they came to Reuel their father, he said, "How is it that you have come so soon today?" |
| 19 | And they said, "An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock." |
| 20 | So he said to his daughters, "And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread." |
Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God, forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
From the Book of Isaiah , may his holy blessings be with us all. Amen
Isaiah 5 : 17 - 25
| 17 | Then the lambs shall feed in their pasture, And in the waste places of the fat ones strangers shall eat. |
| 18 | Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of vanity, And sin as if with a cart rope; |
| 19 | That say, "Let Him make speed and hasten His work, That we may see it; And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, That we may know it." |
| 20 | Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! |
| 21 | Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! |
| 22 | Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, |
| 23 | Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man! |
| 24 | Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff, So their root will be as rottenness, And their blossom will ascend like dust; Because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. |
| 25 | Therefore the anger of the LORD is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them And stricken them, And the hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still. |
Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God, forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
From the Book of Malachi , may his holy blessings be with us all. Amen
Malachi 1 : 6 - 14
| 6 | "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, "In what way have we despised Your name?' |
| 7 | "You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, "In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, "The table of the LORD is contemptible.' |
| 8 | And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts. |
| 9 | "But now entreat God's favor, That He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts. |
| 10 | "Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," Says the LORD of hosts, "Nor will I accept an offering from your hands. |
| 11 | For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," Says the LORD of hosts. |
| 12 | "But you profane it, In that you say, "The table of the LORD is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.' |
| 13 | You also say, "Oh, what a weariness!' And you sneer at it," Says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" Says the LORD. |
| 14 | "But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished--For I am a great King," Says the LORD of hosts, "And My name is to be feared among the nations. |
Malachi 3 : 1 - 18
| 1 | "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts. |
| 2 | "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderers' soap. |
| 3 | He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness. |
| 4 | "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years. |
| 5 | And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien--Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts. |
| 6 | "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. |
| 7 | Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, "In what way shall we return?' |
| 8 | "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, "In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. |
| 9 | You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. |
| 10 | Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. |
| 11 | "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts; |
| 12 | And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the LORD of hosts. |
| 13 | "Your words have been harsh against Me," Says the LORD, "Yet you say, "What have we spoken against You?' |
| 14 | You have said, "It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the LORD of hosts? |
| 15 | So now we call the proud blessed, For those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free."' |
| 16 | Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. |
| 17 | "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him." |
| 18 | Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him. |
Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God, forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Matins Psalm & Gospel
From the Psalms of our father David the prophet and the king, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
Psalms 18 : 17 - 18
| 17 | He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. |
| 18 | They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support. |
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, unto Him be the glory forever, Amen.
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to our teacher Saint Matthew the Evangelist. May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
Matthew 5 : 17 - 24
| 17 | "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. |
| 18 | For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. |
| 19 | Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. |
| 20 | For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. |
| 21 | "You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' |
| 22 | But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, "Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, "You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. |
| 23 | Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, |
| 24 | leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. |
Glory be to God forever.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Divine Liturgy
Pauline Epistle
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Romans.
May his blessings be with us. Amen.
Romans 3 : 1 - 17
| 1 | What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? |
| 2 | Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. |
| 3 | For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? |
| 4 | Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged." |
| 5 | But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) |
| 6 | Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? |
| 7 | For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? |
| 8 | And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. |
| 9 | What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. |
| 10 | As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; |
| 11 | There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. |
| 12 | They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." |
| 13 | "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; |
| 14 | "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." |
| 15 | "Their feet are swift to shed blood; |
| 16 | Destruction and misery are in their ways; |
| 17 | And the way of peace they have not known." |
The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle of St. John . May his blessings be upon us. Amen.
2 John 1 : 8 - 13
| 8 | Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. |
| 9 | Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. |
| 10 | If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; |
| 11 | for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. |
| 12 | Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. |
| 13 | The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen. |
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us. Amen.
Acts 5 : 3 - 11
| 3 | But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? |
| 4 | While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." |
| 5 | Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. |
| 6 | And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. |
| 7 | Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. |
| 8 | And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." |
| 9 | Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." |
| 10 | Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. |
| 11 | So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. |
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God. Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Synaxarium
Day 8 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baramhat.
May God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins are forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers. Amen.
The Eighth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Martyrdom of St.Matthias, the Apostle
On this day St. Matthias, the
apostle was martyred about 63 A.D. He was born in Bethlehem, followed the
apostles and was chosen in place of Judas Iscariot in the upper room on
the mount of Zion. Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether
the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and
brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke
before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those
who arrested Jesus; "for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in
this ministry." (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity;
and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails
gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so
that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of
Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his habitation be
desolate, and let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'
"Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the
Lord Jesus went in and out among us, "beginning from the baptism of John
to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness
with us of His resurrection." And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas,
who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You,
O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
"to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression
fell, that he might go to his own place." And they cast their lots, and
the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
(Acts 1:15-26)
Afterwards he was filled with
the Holy Spirit, and went to preach the Gospel until he came to the country
of cannibals. The custom of those people was whenever they seized a stranger,
they put him in prison for thirty days feeding him grass, then they bring
him out and eat him. When St.Matthias came to them and preached among them
the massage of love they seized him, plucked out his eyes and put him in
prison. Before the thirty days were over God sent to him Andrew the apostle
and his disciple. They came to the prison and saw the prisoners and what
abominable things the people of the city did to them. Satan inspired the
people of the city to seize them also and kill them. When they were about
to seize them, the two Saints prayed to the Lord, and a stream of water
flowed from under one of the pillar of the prison. The water flowed out
into the city, and rose up until it reached the necks of the people. When
the people of the city gave up all hope of saving their lives, they came
to the apostles, and wept before them confessing their sins. The apostles
told them "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." They
all believed and they released St. Matthias. St. Matthias, along with St.
Andrew and his disciple taught them the mystery of the Incarnation of the
Lord Christ. The Apostles prayed and entreated God Who made the water to
cease then they baptized them in the Name of the Holy Trinity. They also
prayed to The Lord Christ Who removed from them their barbaric nature.
The Apostles appointed over them bishops and priests.
They tarried with them for a while
during which they instructed them and confirmed them in the faith, then
they left. The people of the city entreated them to come back to them speedily.
St. Matthias went to the city of Damascus and preached there in the Name
of the Lord Christ. The people of the city became angry so they took him
and laid him upon an iron bed, they lighted a fire under it which did not
harm him but his face was shining with light like the sun. They marvelled
exceedingly and they all believed on the Lord Christ through St. Matthias
the apostle who baptized them, and appointed priests for them. He tarried
many days with them confirming them in the faith. Afterward he departed
in peace in one of the city of the jews called Falawon (Pilawon) where
his body was laid.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Julian, the Eleventh
Pope of Alexandria
On this day also of the
year 188 A.D. (3rd of march) the holy father Pope Julian the Eleventh Pope
of Alexandria departed. This father was a student in the seminary established
by St. Mark, and was ordained priest in the city of Alexandria. He surpassed
many in knowledge, righteousness, and purity so he was ordained Patriarch
on the 9th of Baramhat (Year 178 A.D.) After his enthronement he saw that
the pagans did not allow the bishops to leave the city of Alexandria, so
he used to leave the city in secret to ordain priests everywhere. Before
his departure the angel of the lord announced to him that the one who will
bring him a cluster of grapes, is the one to succeed him on the Patriarchal
Chair. One day, while Demetrius the vine dresser was trimming his trees,
he found a cluster of grapes and was not in season. He took the cluster
and gave it to the Patriarch Abba Julian who was pleased with the present.
He gathered the bishops and told them about the vision and commanded them
to enthrone him Patriarch after him. This father composed many homilies
and discourses, he taught the people continually, preached and visited
them. He stayed on the Apostolic Chair for ten years then departed in peace.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Arianus, the Governor
of Ansena
On this day also St. Arianus,
the governor of Ansena was martyred. When he ordered to shoot St. Apollonius
with arrows, and one of the arrows glanced back and struck his eye and
destroyed it, as it is mentioned in the Seventh day of Baramhat, one of
the believers told him: "If you take some of his blood and smear your eye
with it, you will receive your sight." The Governor took some of his blood,
smeared his eye, and immediately he was able to see. Arianus believed on
the Lord Christ, with great sorrow for all the evil things which he had
done to the holy martyrs and the severity with which he tortured them.
Then he rose up, destroyed his idols, and he refrained from torturing any
of the believers. When Diocletian heard the report of Arianus, he brought
him, and asked him why he had forsaken the worship of his idols. Arianus
began to tell him about the signs and wonders which God was working by
the hands of the holy martyrs, and how, in spite of the tortures which
he had inflicted upon them, and the cutting of their bodies, they rose
up again whole. The Emperor became furious with him because of what he
said and ordered him to be tortured severely, and to cast him into a pit
and to cover it until he dies.
The Lord Christ sent His
angel, who brought him out from the pit, and took him by the bed of the
Emperor. The Emperor woke up from his sleep, and when he saw and recognized
that he was Arianus, he was amazed and terrified. Diocletian again ordered
him to be placed into a hair sack, and to cast him into the sea, so they
did. Arianus the martyr delivered up his soul while he was in the hair
sack. The Saint had told his kinsfolk when he bid them farewell that the
Lord had told him in a vision of the night that He would take care of his
body, return it to his town, and they could find it on the shore of Alexandria.
The Lord ordered a sea creature who carried the Saint, and brought him
to the city of Alexandria, where it casted him on the shore. His men took
his body, brought it to Ansena, and laid it with the bodies of the Saints
Philemon and Apollonius. Thus, he finished his good fight and received
the heavenly crown.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Divine Liturgy Psalm & Gospel
From the Psalms of our father David the prophet and the king, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
Psalms 18 : 1 - 2
| 1 | I will love You, O LORD, my strength. |
| 2 | The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. |
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, unto Him be the glory forever, Amen.
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to our teacher Saint Matthew the Evangelist. May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
Matthew 15 : 32 - 38
| 32 | Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." |
| 33 | Then His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?" |
| 34 | Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few little fish." |
| 35 | So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. |
| 36 | And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. |
| 37 | So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. |
| 38 | Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. |
Glory be to God forever.
↑ Top of Page ↑