Sunday Readings
Apostolic Reading – Titus 3:8-15
Gospel – Matthew 5:14-19
Hymns: See our Church’s website for Audio Recordings: holycrossmelkite.org/hymns
Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)
Through your Cross You destroyed death, You opened Paradise to the thief, and turned into joy the mourning of the ointment bearing women, and You ordered your Apostles to proclaim that You rose, O Christ God, Bestowing great mercy upon the world.
Troparion of the Fathers (Tone 8)
O Christ our God, You are infinitely glorified, for You established our Fathers as radiant stars on earth: You led us to the true faith though them. O Most Merciful One, glory to You!
Troparion of the Holy Cross (Tone 1)
O Lord save your people and bless your inheritance, granting peace to the world; and protect your community by the power of your Cross.
Kondakion
O never failing Protectress of Christians and their ever-present intercessor before the Creator, despise not the petitions of us sinners, but in your goodness extend your help to us who call upon you with confidence. Hasten, O Mother of God, to intercede for us, for you have always protected those who honor you.
Prokimenon (Tone 8)
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart.
Stichon
Happy are those whose faults are taken away, and whose sins are covered.
Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to Titus (3:8-15)
My son Titus, this saying is true, and in this matter, I want to insist that those who believe in God be careful to excel in good works; these are good and useful to people. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and quarrels, and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and futile. Avoid a factious man after warning him one or twice, knowing that such a man is perverted and sins, since he is condemning himself. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Help Zenas the lawyer and Apolos on their way, taking care that they lack nothing. And let our people also learn to excel in good works, in order to help cases of urgent need so that they may not be unfruitful. All my companions greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. The grace of God be with all of you. Amen.
Alleluia (Tone 4)
O God, our ears have heard, our fathers have declared to us the deeds you did in their days, in the days of old
Stichon
For you saved us from those who afflicted us and have put to shame those who hated us
The Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew the Evangelist (5:14-19)
The Lord said to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but upon the lamp-stand, so as to give light to all in the house. Even so let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do not think I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one letter or one stroke shall be lost from the Law till all things have been accomplished. Therefore, whoever does away with one of these least commandments, and so teaches men, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever carries them out and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”