Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!
Forefeast of the Theophany
Saints of the Day
January 4 / 17. Forefeast of the Theophany. Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles: James the brother of the Lord, Markthe Evangelist, Luke the Evangelist, Cleopas the brother of Joseph the Betrothed, Symeon the son of Cleopas, Barnabas, Justus,Thaddaeus, Ananias, Stephen the Archdeacon; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas of the seven deacons; Timothy,Titus, Philemon, Onesimus, Epaphras, Archippus, Silas, Silvanus, Crescens, Crispus, Epenetus, Andronicus, Stachys, Amplias,Urban, Narcissus, Apelles, Aristobulus, Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobus, Hermas, Linus, Gaius,Philogogus, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Olympas, Tertius, Erastus, Quartus, Euodias, Onesiphorus, Clement, Sosthenes, Apollos,Tychicus, Epaphroditus, Carpus, Quadratus, Mark called John, Zenas, Aristarchus, Pudens, Trophimus, Mark, Artemas, Aquila,Fortunatus and Achaicus [Rom 8:8-14; Lk 10:1-21]. St. Theoctistus, abbot at Cucomo in Sicily. (the services are combined) MartyrZosimas the Hermit, and Martyr Athanasius the Commentarisius, anchorites of Cilicia. Martyrs. Abbot Euthymius and twelvemonks of Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos. Repose of St. Eustathius (Eustace), first Archbishop of Serbia. St. Aquila, deacon ofthe Kiev Caves. New-Martyr Onuphrius Manassias of Chilandar Monastery on Mt. Athos. St. Gregory of Langres (Gaul). Repose ofSymeon, metropolitan of Smolensk.
Photo of the Day
The holy brotherhood was delighted with a visit from the youth group of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Puyallup, WA. Our dear friend, Archpriest John Pierce, accompanied his flock for their pilgrimage to the monastery. (click for enlargement)
Video of the Day:
We must all be aware of the dangers facing us, in these latter days. With the increasingly anti-Christian mood that is gaining ground throughout the Western World, we Christians need to be far more vocal in standing firm with our resolve. We must insist on preserving Christian values in an ever increasing secularized society. Islam is using secular, politically correct, policies of the Western countries, to undermine all that we value as Westerners, and as Christians. This film is uncomfortable to watch, but the message is an important one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQOCcx5V9RI&feature=related
Scripture Readings for the Day
1 Timothy 4:9-15
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Take Heed to Your Ministry
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House
1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”