Readings for Sunday 30 November 2025
21 Hatur 1742
Third Sunday of Hatur
Vespers Psalm & Gospel
From the Psalms of our father David the prophet and the king, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
Psalms 86 : 2 - 4
| 2 | Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! |
| 3 | Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. |
| 4 | Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. |
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 11 : 25 - 30
| 25 | At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. |
| 26 | Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. |
| 27 | All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. |
| 28 | Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. |
| 29 | Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. |
| 30 | For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." |
Glory be to God forever.
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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 113 : 3 - 4
| 3 | From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD's name is to be praised. |
| 4 | The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. |
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 24 : 1 - 12
| 1 | Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. |
| 2 | But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. |
| 3 | Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. |
| 4 | And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. |
| 5 | Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? |
| 6 | He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, |
| 7 | saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."' |
| 8 | And they remembered His words. |
| 9 | Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. |
| 10 | It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. |
| 11 | And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. |
| 12 | But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. |
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 Thessalonians.
May his blessings be with us. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 1 : 1 - 12
| 1 | Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 2 | We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, |
| 3 | remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, |
| 4 | knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. |
| 5 | For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. |
| 6 | And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, |
| 7 | so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. |
| 8 | For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. |
| 9 | For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, |
| 10 | and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. |
The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
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Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle of St. Peter . May his blessings be upon us. Amen.
1 Peter 4 : 3 - 11
| 3 | For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. |
| 4 | In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. |
| 5 | They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. |
| 6 | For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. |
| 7 | But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. |
| 8 | And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." |
| 9 | Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. |
| 10 | As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. |
| 11 | If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. 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.
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Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us. Amen.
Acts 5 : 30 - 42
| 30 | The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. |
| 31 | Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. |
| 32 | And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." |
| 33 | When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. |
| 34 | Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. |
| 35 | And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. |
| 36 | For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. |
| 37 | After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. |
| 38 | And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; |
| 39 | but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." |
| 40 | And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. |
| 41 | So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. |
| 42 | And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. |
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 21 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Hatur.
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 Twenty-First Day of the Blessed Month of Hatur
Commemoration of the Virgin St.Mary,
the Mother of God
On this day the church celebrates and
commemorates the pure Virgin St. Mary, the Mother of God, the Word Who
was incarnated from her, for the salvation of Adam and his offspring.
May her intercession be for us all. Amen.
Depature of St.Gregory, the Wonder Worker
Also on this day, in the year
270 A.D., St. Gregory the wonder worker, departed. He was the bishop of
Neocaesarea, in the province of Pontos, where he was born to rich pagan
parents. He learned philosophy and wisdom at an early age and surpassed
many of his colleagues. Then he went to Beirut, where he studied the Greek
and Latin subjects. From there he went to Caesarea, Palestine, where the
erudite Origen was, who taught him Christian philosophy. He also learned
Theology and the interpretations of the holy books. In the year 235 A.D.,
he went to the city of Alexandria, the cultural center of the world at
that time, to complete his studies. He returned to his town in the year
237 A.D. In the year 239 A.D., he was baptized in the holy baptism and
became a Christian, for he realized the vanity of this world and chose
the way of the everlasting kingdom of heaven. He directed all his attention
to the salvation of his soul. When he knew that the Bishop of his town
was seeking him to assist him in the bishopric duties, he escaped to the
wilderness. He devoted himself to prayers and ardent worship, forsaking
the world and the futility of its glories. When the Bishop of his town
departed, they sought him in order to make him the new bishop but they
did not know where to find him. It happened while the people were gathered
with St.Gregory, the Theologian, that they heard a voice say, "Seek Gregory
the hermit and set him a Bishop over you." They sent a party to search
for him in the wilderness and in the mountains. When they did not find
him, they decided to take a Bible and pray the prayer of ordination over
it, as though he were present. They called him Gregory even though his
given name was Theodore. St. Gregory, the Theologian, presided over this
service. The angel of the Lord appeared to St. Gregory in the wilderness
and said to him, "Rise up and go to your town, for they have made you the
bishop over it and refuse not, for it is the Will of God." He did not hesitate,
rose up immediately and descended from the mountain and went to his town.
The people went forth to meet him with great honor, and they completed
his ordination in the year 244 A.D.
The Lord performed many signs
and wonders at his hands, so that he was called the wonder worker. For
example, two brothers who owned a lake from which they made a good living
by catching large amounts of fish had a falling out because of it, for
each one of them claimed his ownership of it. When they were unable to
reach an agreement, they sought the wisdom of St.Gregory to help them settle
their differences. He ordered that they should divide the yield of the
lake equally between themselves. When they did not heed his judgement,
he entreated God and the waters of the lake dried up and it became a farmland,
which they divided between them.
Reports of the signs and wonders which he made were heard throughout
the land. Finally, when he completed his strife, he departed in peace.
May His prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Cosma, the Fifty-Fourth
Pope of Alexandria
Also on this day, in the year
809 A.D., St. Cosma, 54th Pope of Alexandria, departed. He was born in
Samanoud and became a monk in the monastery of St. Macarius. When the papal
chair became vacant, the bishops and the people, with one accord, agreed
to choose this father. He was ordained Patriarch and he experienced great
tribulations. The believers also experienced tribulations and great afflictions;
however, some wonders appeared during his patriarchate. Among them, blood
flowed from the icon of St. Mary in the church of St. Severus, in the desert
of Scete (the Holy desert). Also, many of the icons in the churches in
Egypt became wet with tears. This unusual phenomenon was believed to be
a result of the afflictions and sorrows that befell the Patriarch and the
believers. In spite of all the afflictions that he experienced, the Patriarch
continued teaching the believers and strengthening them diligently and
with great zeal. He stayed on the Chair of St. Mark for seven years and
six months, then departed in peace.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs Alphaeus,
Zacchaeus, Romanus and John
This day also marks the
commemoration of the martyrs Saints Alphaeus, Zacchaeus, Romanus and John.
May their prayers and blessings be with us all. Amen.
Commemoration of the Saints Thomas, Victor
and Isaac, of the city of Ashmunen
This
day also marks the commemoration of Saints Thomas, Victor and Isaac of
the city of Ashmunen.
May their prayers and blessings be with us all, 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 86 : 15 - 16
| 15 | But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. |
| 16 | Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. |
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 14 : 25 - 35
| 25 | Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, |
| 26 | "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. |
| 27 | And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. |
| 28 | For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-- |
| 29 | lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, |
| 30 | saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish.' |
| 31 | Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? |
| 32 | Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. |
| 33 | So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. |
| 34 | "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? |
| 35 | It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" |
Glory be to God forever.
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