Fasting Rules
Meat
Abstain
Fish
Allowed
Dairy
Abstain
Oil
Allowed
Wine
Allowed
Saints & Commemorations
Ven. Sabbas the Sanctified
St Cosmas the Protos of Mount Athos and his companions (ca. 1274)
“Determined to impose the union of the Churches accepted under pressure at the Council of Lyon (1274) to secure Papal support for the Byzantine Empire, Michael VIII Palaeologos sent troops to Mount Athos, the stronghold of Orthodoxy and centre of opposition to his policy, with orders to take sanguinary measures against monks who would not recognize the false union.
“
“Determined to impose the union of the Churches accepted under pressure at the Council of Lyon (1274) to secure Papal support for the Byzantine Empire, Michael VIII Palaeologos sent troops to Mount Athos, the stronghold of Orthodoxy and centre of opposition to his policy, with orders to take sanguinary measures against monks who would not recognize the false union.
“When the Emperor’s soldiers reached Karyes, the capital of Athos, which was organized as a lavra in those days, they seized the Protos of Athos, who had been an example to all of what a steadfast monk should be. They put him to the sword together with many other fathers there, and in their fury ransacked and fired the Church and monastic buildings, leaving rack and ruin behind them. Emerging from the wild places and thick forests where they had taken refuge, the Orthodox monks buried the holy Martyrs at the entrance to the Church of the Protaton. Through the centuries, generations of monks piously lit the lamp each day above the ‘tomb of the Protos’; but it was not until 5 December 1981 that his relics were solemnly taken from the earth, and that a service was held in his honour in the presence of a great crowd.” (Synaxarion)
Scripture Readings
☩Epistle
Ephesians 2:14-22
14
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
☩Gospel
Luke 17:12-19
12
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13
And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16
And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Liturgical data sourced from OCA.org and orthocal.info