First Sunday after Pentecost

Commemoration of All Saints

Hieromartyr Theodotos, bishop of Ancyra; Venerable Sebastian the wonder-worker; Venerable Cedd, bishop of Essex

June 7, 2015

Hymns of the Day

Troparion of the resurrection– Tone 8

From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Troparion of all saints– Tone 4

Thy Church, O Christ God, hath regaled herself in the blood of Thy Martyrs throughout the entire world, as in porphyry and purple. Through them she lifteth her voice crying: Turn with Thy compassion toward Thy people, and grant peace to Thy city, and to our souls the Great Mercy.

Troparion of St Joseph–  Tone 2

Proclaim, O Joseph to David, the ancestor of God, the amazing wonder, for by the angel they were revealed unto thee. For thou hast seen a Virgin great with child, and thou gave glory with the shepherds and didst worship with the Magi. Wherefore, plead with Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion of All Saints—Tone 8

(**As first-fruits of our nature**)

As first-fruits of our nature to the Planter of created things, * the world presenteth the Godbearing martyred Saints in off’ring unto Thee, O Lord. * Through their earnest entreaties, * keep Thy Church in deep peace and divine tranquility, * through the pure Theotokos, O Thou Who art greatly merciful.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn)

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just; praise becometh the upright. Alleluia.

Epistle – Hebrews 11:33-12:2

Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.

Gospel – Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38: 19:27-30

The Lord said to His disciples, “Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father Who is in heaven; but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed Thee. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the New World, when the Son of Man shall sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundred fold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”

Saints Alexander and Antonina – June 10^th

St Antonina was from the city of Krodamos (in present day Asia Minor). She was arrested for being a Christian, and was brought before Governor Festus. He urged her to worship the pagan gods and promised to make her a priestess of the goddess Artemis. She bravely confessed Christ and urged the governor to renounce the worship of demons in the form of idols. Festus gave orders to strike the saint on the face and lock her up in prison.

St Antonina spent all her time in prayer, eating and drinking nothing. One day she heard the voice of God saying, “Antonina, fortify yourself with food and be brave, for I am with you.” When she was led before the governor again, the martyr continued to stand up for the Christian Faith and to denounce the pagans.

Governor Festus ordered that the holy virgin be defiled by the soldiers, but the Lord inspired one of them, St Alexander. He sought permission to go in to her on the pretext that he might be able to convince her to obey the Governor's will. While he was alone with her, St Alexander suggested that she put on his military attire and escape. The Lord ordered St Antonina to agree.

She subsequently walked out of the prison, not being recognized because she was dressed like a soldier. The remaining soldiers entered the prison and found St Alexander alone in the cell. He was led before the Governor, where he refused to respond to questioning. Hearing that St Alexander had been brought for questioning before the Governor, St Antonina returned and stood by his side.

On May 3, 313, Governor Festus ordered that their hands be cut off, and they were then smeared with pitch and thrown into a pit where a fire was burning, where they received the crowns of martyrs. When the fire went out, snakes were thrown into the pit, so that Christians would not be able to gather up their bones.

Returning from witnessing these tortures, Governor Festus became numb, and was unable to eat or drink. He died after seven days of terrible torment.

The relics of the saints were eventually transferred to Constantinople and placed in the Maximov Monastery.

[antiochian.org]