Sunday Readings

Apostolic Reading – Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6

Gospel – Mark 8:34-9:1

Hymns: See our Church’s website for Audio Recordings: holycrossmelkite.org/hymns

Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 7)

You destroyed Death by Your cross. You opened paradise to the thief. You changed the weeping of the myrrh bearers, and commanded Your apostles to proclaim that You, have risen O Christ God, granting to the world great mercy.

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 of the Annunciation (Tone 8)

Triumphant leader to you belongs our prize of victory! And since you saved us from adversity, we offer you, our thanks. We are your people O mother of God! So, as you have that invincible power, continue to deliver us from danger that we may cry out to you Hail, O Virgin and bride ever pure.

Prokimenon

O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance!

Stichon

To you, O Lord, I have called: O my Rock, be not deaf to me!

Reading from the Epistle to St. Paul to the Hebrews (4:14-16; 5:1-6)

Brethren, since we have a great high priest who has passed into the heavens, let us hold fast our profession of faith. For we have not a high priest unable to pity our weaknesses, but one tried as we are in all things, save sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in matters pertaining to God, so that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to have compassion on the ignorant and erring, because he himself also is beset with weakness, and therefore must make offerings for sin in his own behalf as in behalf of the people. And no one invests himself with this honor: only one who is called by God takes it, as Aaron was. So also, Christ did not glorify himself with the high priesthood, but glorified the One who had spoken to him, “You are my son, I this day have begotten you. “As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedek

Alleluia

Remember your congregation which you have acquired from the beginning: you redeemed the scepter of your inheritance.

Stichon

God is our King forever: he brought about salvation in the midst of the earth.

The Holy Gospel According to St. Mark (8:34-9:1)

The Lord said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who would save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake and for the sake of Good News will save it. For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, but suffers the loss of his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes with the holy angels in the glory of his Father.” And he said to them, “Amen I say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death, till they have seen the kingdom of God coming in power.”