Day 28 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baounah, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.
The Twenty-Eighth Day of the Blessed Month of Baounah
Departure of St.Theodosius, the 33rd Pope of Alexandria
On this day, of the year 283 A.M. (June 22nd, 567 A.D.) St. Theodosius, the thirty-third Pope of Alexandria, departed. After the departure of Pope Timothy, the bishops and the Orthodox Christians gathered and ordained this father a patriarch. He was a learned man, and well rehearsed in the church books. Soon after, the enemy of the good enticed some evil men from the city of Alexandria, to take Acacius, Archdeacon of the churches of the city of Alexandria, and appoint him a patriarch. That happened with the help of Julian, who was excommunicated by Pope Timothy for his approval of the council of Chalcedon. When they appointed Acacius, they exiled Pope Theodosius to the city of Germanos. St. Severus, the Antiochian Patriarch, who was residing in Sakha, in the Egyptian land, comforted and strengthened him. He reminded him of the tribulation that came upon the apostles, and John Chrysostom (of the golden mouth). Six month after the exile of Pope Theodosius, he went to the city of Malig, and dwelt there for two years. Afterwards, the people of the city of Alexandria went to the governor and demanded from him the return of their legitimate shepherd, and the expulsion of Acacius the Fraudulent. When the news reached Emperor Justinian and the God-loving
Empress Theodora, she sent a letter to the church in Alexandria to ask about the legitimacy of the ordination of Pope Theodosius, for if it was according to the canon of the church he should be reinstated on his chair. A council of lay people and one hundred twenty priests convened and unanimously agreed that Theodosius was ordained with the consent of the bishops and the people and according to the canons of the church. Acacius was present in this council; he rose up confessing that he had transgressed. He asked for forgiveness and to remain as archdeacon as he was before. They sent these facts to the Empress. Since the Emperor was in agreement with the faith of the council of Chalcedon, he wanted to attract the Pope to this erroneous faith. He wrote to his representative in Alexandria saying, "If the Patriarch Theodosius agreed with us in faith, along with his papacy, add the governorship of the city of Alexandria, but if he did not agree, he should be expelled from the city." When the Patriarch heard that, he said, "That what the devil had told the Lord Christ after he showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 'All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me'". The Patriarch then left the city and went to Upper Egypt and stayed there confirming the believers.
Later on, the Emperor called St. Theodosius to Constantinople, so he went with some of the learned priests. The Emperor received him with great honor, and seated him in a distinguished place. He tried to flatter him, and talk gently to him, to persuade him to agree on the faith of the council of Chalcedon. When he did not yield, he exiled him to Upper Egypt, and appointed in his place a person called Paul. When this Paul arrived to Alexandria, its people did not receive him. He remained there for a year and only few followed him. When the Emperor heard of this, he commanded to shut the churches until the people submitted to the patriarch he appointed. The believers built a church in the name of St. Mark and another on the name of Sts. Cosmas and Damian outside the city where they were able to receive the Holy Mysteries and baptize their children. When the Emperor heard that, he had the churches opened. Pope Theodosius, when he heard this, feared that the Emperor might have intended to lure the people by that act. He wrote a letter to the believers to confirm them in the Orthodox faith and to warn them from the deception of this infidel. He lived four years in Alexandria, and remained in exile in Upper Egypt for twenty-eight years. He spent thirty-one years, four months, and fifteen days in the patriarchate. This Pope wrote many discourses and useful teachings.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of Anba Sarabamoun, Bishop of Nikios
On this day also, the church celebrates the Commemoration of the Consecration of the Church of Anba Sarabamoun, the martyr, Bishop of Nikios.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
Vespers
Vespers Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 84 : 8,4
Chapter 84
| 8 | O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob!Selah |
| 4 | Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You.Selah |
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Vespers Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Matthew the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Matthew 5 : 34 - 48
Chapter 5
| 34 | But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; |
| 35 | nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. |
| 36 | Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. |
| 37 | But let your "Yes' be "Yes,' and your "No,'"No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. |
| 38 | "You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' |
| 39 | But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. |
| 40 | If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. |
| 41 | And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. |
| 42 | Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. |
| 43 | "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' |
| 44 | But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, |
| 45 | that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. |
| 46 | For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? |
| 47 | And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? |
| 48 | Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. |
And Glory be to God forever.
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 61 : 5 - 8
Chapter 61
| 5 | For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. |
| 6 | You will prolong the king's life, His years as many generations. |
| 7 | He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! |
| 8 | So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows. |
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Matins Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
John 20 : 1 - 17
Chapter 20
| 1 | Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. |
| 2 | Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." |
| 3 | Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. |
| 4 | So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. |
| 5 | And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. |
| 6 | Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, |
| 7 | and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. |
| 8 | Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. |
| 9 | For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. |
| 10 | Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. |
| 11 | But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. |
| 12 | And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. |
| 13 | Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." |
| 14 | Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. |
| 15 | Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." |
| 16 | Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). |
| 17 | Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God."' |
And Glory be to God forever.
Liturgy Gospel
Paulines 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 Colossians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Colossians 4 : 2 - 18
Chapter 4
| 2 | Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; |
| 3 | meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, |
| 4 | that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. |
| 5 | Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. |
| 6 | Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. |
| 7 | Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. |
| 8 | I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, |
| 9 | with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. |
| 10 | Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), |
| 11 | and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. |
| 12 | Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. |
| 13 | For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. |
| 14 | Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. |
| 15 | Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. |
| 16 | Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. |
| 17 | And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." |
| 18 | This salutation by my own hand--Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. |
The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle of St. James .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
James 5 : 9 - 20
Chapter 5
| 9 | Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! |
| 10 | My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. |
| 11 | Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. |
| 12 | But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No,No," lest you fall into judgment. |
| 13 | Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. |
| 14 | Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. |
| 15 | And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. |
| 16 | Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. |
| 17 | Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. |
| 18 | And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. |
| 19 | Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, |
| 20 | let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. |
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.
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 18 : 1 - 11
Chapter 18
| 1 | After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. |
| 2 | And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. |
| 3 | So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. |
| 4 | And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. |
| 5 | When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. |
| 6 | But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." |
| 7 | And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. |
| 8 | Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. |
| 9 | Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; |
| 10 | for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." |
| 11 | And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. |
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
Divine Psalm
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 69 : 32,33,30
Chapter 69
| 32 | The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live. |
| 33 | For the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners. |
| 30 | I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. |
Hallelujah.
Divine Gospel
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Luke 6 : 27 - 38
Chapter 6
| 27 | "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, |
| 28 | bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. |
| 29 | To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. |
| 30 | Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. |
| 31 | And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. |
| 32 | "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. |
| 33 | And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. |
| 34 | And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. |
| 35 | But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. |
| 36 | Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. |
| 37 | "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. |
| 38 | Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." |
And Glory be to God forever.