Paramon of the Theophany 2021-01-05 by St. Thomas Antiochian Orthodox Church

Paramon of the Theophany of Christ 2021-01-05

St. Thomas Orthodox Church

A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

âš

Please be sure to wear your mask when entering and leaving the church, entering and leaving your pew, and approaching and returning from the chalice. Hand sanitizer is available in the narthex.

The Great Hours Apolytikion of the Paramon (Eve) of the Theophany (Tone 4) River Jordan was turned back by Elisseus’ mantle once, when the fiery man of zeal Elias had been taken up; then were its waters divided hither and thither. The running streams became dry passage unto him, truly as a sign and type of Baptism, whereby we pass to the other side of the shifting stream of this fleeting life. Christ hath appeared in the Jordan River, to sanctify the waters.

First Hour Theotokion (Tone 8): What shall we call thee, O full of grace? Shall we call thee heaven because thou didst give rise to the Son of righteousness? Or, shall we call thee paradise because thou didst bring forth the Flower of incorruption? Or, a Virgin because thou didst remain without defilement? Or a pure Mother because thou didst carry in thy holy arms as a son the God of all? Therefore, plead with Him that He may save our souls. Prophecy: Isaiah 35:1–10 Epistle: Acts 13:25–33 Gospel: Matthew 3:1–6

Third Hour Theotokion (Tone 6): Thou art the true vine, O Theotokos, bearing the Fruit of life. Thee do we implore. Wherefore, O Lady, intercede thou together with the Apostles and with all the saints for the salvation of our souls. Prophecy: Isaiah 1:16–20 Epistle: Acts 19:1–8 Gospel: Mark 1:1–8

Sixth Hour Theotokion (Tone 2): For verily, we have no favor for the multitude of our sins. Therefore, O virgin Theotokos, plead with Him that was born of thee; for the pleadings of the Mother are very effective in seeking the favor of the Master. Turn thou not away, therefore, from the pleadings of sinners, O most venerable one; for He Who was willing to suffer for our sins is merciful and able to save us. Prophecy: Isaiah 12:3–6 Epistle: Romans 6:3–11 Gospel: Mark 1:9–11

Ninth Hour Theotokion (Tone 8): Thou who for our sake wast born of a Virgin, and didst suffer crucifixion, O good One, and didst despoil death through Death, and as God didst reveal

Resurrection; despise not those whom Thou hast created with Thine own hand; show forth Thy love for mankind, O merciful one; accept the intercession of Thy Mother, the Theotokos, for us; and save Thy despairing people, O our Savior. Prophecy: Isaiah 49:8–15 Epistle: Titus 2:11–14; 3:4–7 Gospel: Luke 3:1–18

Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great Old Testament Readings Genesis 1:1–13, Exodus 14:15–18, 21–23, 27–29, Exodus 15:22–16:1 Joshua 3:7–8, 15–17, II Kings 2:6–14, II Kings 5:9–14 Isaiah 1:16–20, Genesis 32:1–10, Exodus 2:5–10, Judges 6:36–40, I Kings 18:30–39, II Kings 2:19–22, Isaiah 49:8–15

The Epistle I Corinthians 9:19–27 Brethren, though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law—though not being myself under the law—that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law—not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ—that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Gospel Luke 3:1–18 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John the son of Zachariah in the wilderness; and He went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The

voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” He said therefore to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits that befit repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the multitudes asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all, “I baptize you with water; but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, to clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people.

Upcoming Events Orthros, Divine Liturgy, & Great Blessing of the 08:30 Waters for Theophany

Holy Trinity

Blessing of the Missouri River