Tuesday 26 March 2024
17 Baramhat 1740
Readings for Tuesday of of the Great Lent
Prophecy
From the Book of Proverbs , may his holy blessings be with us all. Amen
Proverbs 2 : 1 - 15
| 1 | My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, |
| 2 | So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; |
| 3 | Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, |
| 4 | If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; |
| 5 | Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. |
| 6 | For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; |
| 7 | He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; |
| 8 | He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. |
| 9 | Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. |
| 10 | When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, |
| 11 | Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, |
| 12 | To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, |
| 13 | From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; |
| 14 | Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; |
| 15 | Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths; |
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 10 : 12 - 21
| 12 | Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, "I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks." |
| 13 | For he says: "By the strength of my hand I have done it, And by my wisdom, for I am prudent; Also I have removed the boundaries of the people, And have robbed their treasuries; So I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man. |
| 14 | My hand has found like a nest the riches of the people, And as one gathers eggs that are left, I have gathered all the earth; And there was no one who moved his wing, Nor opened his mouth with even a peep." |
| 15 | Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood! |
| 16 | Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, Will send leanness among his fat ones; And under his glory He will kindle a burning Like the burning of a fire. |
| 17 | So the Light of Israel will be for a fire, And his Holy One for a flame; It will burn and devour His thorns and his briers in one day. |
| 18 | And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, Both soul and body; And they will be as when a sick man wastes away. |
| 19 | Then the rest of the trees of his forest Will be so few in number That a child may write them. |
| 20 | And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. |
| 21 | The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, To the Mighty God. |
Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God, forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
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Matins Psalm & Gospel
From the Psalms of our father David the prophet and the king, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
Psalms 32 : 10 - 10
| 10 | Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. |
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 Luke the Evangelist. May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
Luke 12 : 54 - 59
| 54 | Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, "A shower is coming'; and so it is. |
| 55 | And when you see the south wind blow, you say, "There will be hot weather'; and there is. |
| 56 | Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? |
| 57 | "Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? |
| 58 | When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. |
| 59 | I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite." |
Glory be to God forever.
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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 4 : 1 - 8
| 1 | What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? |
| 2 | For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. |
| 3 | For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." |
| 4 | Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. |
| 5 | But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, |
| 6 | just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: |
| 7 | "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; |
| 8 | Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." |
The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
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Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle of St. John . May his blessings be upon us. Amen.
1 John 2 : 1 - 11
| 1 | My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. |
| 2 | And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. |
| 3 | Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. |
| 4 | He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. |
| 5 | But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. |
| 6 | He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. |
| 7 | Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. |
| 8 | Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. |
| 9 | He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. |
| 10 | He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. |
| 11 | But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. |
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.
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Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us. Amen.
Acts 27 : 9 - 12
| 9 | Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, |
| 10 | saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." |
| 11 | Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. |
| 12 | And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. |
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God. Amen.
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Synaxarium
Day 17 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 Seventeenth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Departure of Lazarus, the beloved of
the Lord
On this day the righteous Lazarus, the beloved
of the Lord Christ, departed. He was the brother of Martha and Mary who
anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair. When
Lazarus fell sick the sisters sent to the Lord Christ saying: "Lord, behold,
he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness
is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be
glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place
where He was" to magnify the miracle. Then after this He said to the disciples,
"Let us go to Judea again." The disciples told Him, "Rabbi, lately the
Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" Jesus answered,
"Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he
does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. "But if one
walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." These
things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps,
but I go that I may wake him up." Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he
sleeps he will get well." However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought
that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them
plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not
there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him."
When the Lord came to Bethany which is nearby Jerusalem
He stood before the tomb and said: "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister
of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench,
for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you
that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Then they took
away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted
up His eyes and prayed then he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come
forth!" And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes,
and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him,
and let him go."
(John 11:1-45) That was to manifest the reality of his
death, so no one would think that this was deception with previous arrangement,
for that the miracle was magnified and many believed.
May The prayers of this righteous be with us. Amen.
Commemoration of the Saints George the
Ascetic, Belasius the Martyr, and Anba Joseph the Bishop
On this day also the church
celebrates the commemoration of the Saints George the ascetic, Belasius
the martyr, and Anba Joseph the bishop.
May their prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Basilius, Bishop of Jerusalem
On this day also of the
year 1615 A.M. (March 26th., 1899 A.D.) the great father Anba Basilius,
Metropolitan of Jerusalem, departed. This father was born in the village
of El-Dabah, Farshout county, the province of Quena, for righteous parents.
They nursed him with the milk of righteousness since his young age, as
they taught him reading and writing, so he grew on loving perfection and
moral excellence. When he was twenty-five years old he went to the monastery
of St. Antonios and put on the monastic garb in the year 1559 A.M. He persevered
in worshipping and ascetism and because he was adorned with righteousness
and piety they ordained him priest in the year 1565 A.M. and archpriest
(Hegumen) in the year 1568 A.M., then they appointed him an Abott for the
monastery. He managed the monastery well with gentleness, wisdom and meekness
that made the blessed Anba Kyrellos IV to ordain him Metropolitan for Jerusalem
and the parishes that were attached to him: El-Kaliobia, El-Sharkia, El-Dakahlia,
El-Gharbia, Suez, Domiat, and Port-Said. He had shown prudence in managing
the affairs of these parishes that made him the center of admiration and
pride to the Copts. All his efforts were dedicated for the building of
churches all over his parish, buying and renovating properties in Jaffa
and Jerusalem. He was loved by all the people of Syria and Palestine, regardless
of their religion or political persuasion, especially the rulers of Jerusalem,
for his wise policy and straight morals. During his days a dispute aroused
from the Ethiopians where they claimed their ownership for the monastery
of El-Sultan in Jerusalem. Because of this father and his vigilance they
could not establish an ownership for the monastery. He attended the enthronement
of Pope Demetrius II, the hundred eleventh, and Pope Kyrellos V, the hundred
twelfth. He spent his days in continuous effort for what was good for his
people and departed in peace.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Sedhom Bishay in Domiat
On this day also the church
commemorates the martyrdom of Sedhom Bishay in Domiat on the 17th. of Baramhat
year 1565 A.D. (March 25th., 1844 A.D.). He endured the torture for the
Name of the Lord Christ and his martyrdom made the rising of the Cross
during the Christian funeral processions openly, for it was forbidden before.
This martyr was a clerical employee in the government of the port of Domiat
during the days of Mohammed Ali Basha the Governor of Egypt. A revolt of
mobs in the port arose, they seized Sidhom Bishay and accused him falsely
that he cursed Islam and witnessed against him before the religious judge
a low uncivilized person and a donkey driver. The judge decided either
he would forsake his faith or be killed, he whipped him and then sent him
to the Governor of the city. After the Governor had examined his case he
issued the same judgement against him as the judge did. Sidhom was steadfast
in his Christian faith, not caring to be killed. They whipped, dragged
him on his face down the stairs in the Governor palace, then they put him
on a buffalo facing the tail and went around with him in the streets of
the city insulting and degrading him. The Christians in the city became
afraid and locked themselves in their houses.
The mob continued to insult
him and tortured him in different ways until he was about to deliver his
soul; so they brought him to the door of his house and left him there.
His family went out and brought him inside and five days later he departed
to heaven. His departure was a great martyrdom, and the Christians counted
him among the holy martyrs. They gathered regardless of their denomination
and joined in his funeral in a celebration that there was nothing like
it before. The Christians carried their arms and the priest put on their
vestments headed by the Archpriest Yousef Michael who was the head of the
Coptic congregation in Domiat and accompanied by the priests of the other
denominations. They marched in his fu.eral in the streets of the city and
in front of him the deacons carrying the banners of the Cross, and they
arrived to the church where they prayed the funeral rites. The people went
on objecting this reprehensible and painful incident and talking about
the patience and endurance of the different kinds of torture in silence
and the steadfastness of Sidhom the martyr. The prominent people of the
Christian community in Domiat deliberated as how to avoid these incidents
in the future. They decided to ask the consuls of the foreign countries
to mediate with the ruler of the country and the Pope the Patriarch of
the Copts and sent to them detailed reports. Mr Michail Sorour the official
representative of seven countries in Domiat was in charge of this mediation.
The ruler of Egypt was concerned about this incident and sent two official
representatives to examine the case. So they reopened the inquiry and they
realized the injustice and the ill-treatment that befell the great martyr
and convicted the judge and the governor for their wrong doing, stripped
them from their honor then exiled them. They asked, as a good will and
to comfort the people, to allow the raising of the Cross publicly before
the Christian funerals, and the ruler allowed that in Domiat. This was
allowed later on all over the country during the Papacy of Pope Kyrellos
IV.
May The blessings of this great martyr be with us and glory be to
God forever. Amen.
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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 32 : 2 - 3
| 2 | Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. |
| 3 | When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. |
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 John the Evangelist. May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
John 8 : 31 - 39
| 31 | Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. |
| 32 | And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." |
| 33 | They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, "You will be made free'?" |
| 34 | Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. |
| 35 | And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. |
| 36 | Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. |
| 37 | "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. |
| 38 | I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father." |
| 39 | They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. |
Glory be to God forever.
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