Fasting Rules
Meat
Abstain
Fish
Allowed
Dairy
Abstain
Oil
Allowed
Wine
Allowed
Saints & Commemorations
Sunday before Nativity
Martyr Boniface and Righteous Aglaida
He lived in Rome during the reign of Diocletian. He was slave to Aglais, the daughter of a Senator, and served as steward of her household and her large fortune. He also lived in fornication with her, and was addicted to drink. Despite these sins, he was kind, hospitable to strangers, and generous toward the needy.
He lived in Rome during the reign of Diocletian. He was slave to Aglais, the daughter of a Senator, and served as steward of her household and her large fortune. He also lived in fornication with her, and was addicted to drink. Despite these sins, he was kind, hospitable to strangers, and generous toward the needy.
In time, Aglais became troubled in her conscience over her way of life, and began to think of the account that she would have to give to God for her sins. Some Christians told her of the holy Martyrs and, moved by their accounts, she ordered Boniface to travel to Tarsus and bring back relics of these holy ones. Boniface, still deaf and blind to the things of God, said jokingly, “And will you honor me as a Saint if I bring back my own body to you as a relic?”
Boniface traveled to Tarsus with a large escort, well supplied with gold. He went straightaway to the Amphitheater, where he beheld a number of Martyrs being subjected to awful torments for the pleasure of the crowd, but bearing them all with patience and serenity. At the sight, the dissolute steward was touched by grace and felt his heart melt within him. He ran to the Martyrs, fell at their feet and kissed their chains, and loudly declared that he too was a disciple of Christ. So he too was put in chains, subjected to frightful tortures, and finally beheaded, rejoicing and praising God.
Boniface’s escort, mystified by his long absence, made inquiries and were astonished to discover that their godless and sinful companion had met a Martyr’s death the day before. They paid fifty pounds in gold for his body and brought it back to Rome, thus fulfilling Boniface’s own unwitting prophecy.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Aglais and said, “Arise and go to meet him who was once your servant and companion in sin, but has now become our brother. Receive him as your master for, thanks to him, all your sins are to be forgiven.” Rejoicing, Aglais received her former lover’s holy relics and built a church in his honor, where many miracles were wrought. Aglais gave away her fortune, devoted herself to ascesis and prayer, and was herself granted the grace to work miracles. She reposed in peace thirteen years later, assured that the sins of her past had been effaced through the intercessions of the holy Boniface.
Scripture Readings
☩Epistle
Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40
9
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
32
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
☩Gospel
Matthew 1:1-25
1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2
Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4
And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7
And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8
And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9
And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10
And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13
And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14
And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15
And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Liturgical data sourced from OCA.org and orthocal.info