Sunday Readings

Full Readings Below.

Epistle: Hebrews 7:26-8:2

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

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

Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 6). The angelic powers were around Your tomb, and the guards became as dead; and Mary stood at the tomb, seeking Your spotless body; Then You despoiled Hades without being tried by it, and You met the Virgin O Bestower of life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You!

Troparion of St. John (Tone 8). The grace that shines forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe, bestowed treasures of generosity upon the world and shown us the depth of Your humility. While you teach us by your words, Father, pray to the Word, Christ our God that He may save out souls.

Troparion of the Holy Cross (Tone 1). O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance, granting peace to the world. And preserve your community by the power of your Cross.

Kondakion Presentation of the Blessed Virgin (Tone 4). The most pure Temple of the Savior, His most precious bridal chamber, the Virgin, sacred treasure of God’s glory, enters today in the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace of the divine Spirit. Wherefore the angels of God are singing: “Behold the heavenly tabernacle!”

Prokimenon (Tone 1). My mouth shall speak wisdom; prudence shall be the utterance of my heart.

Stichon: Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all who dwell in the world.

Epistle Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (7:26-8:2).

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and become higher than the heavens. He does not need to offer sacrifices daily (as the other priests did), first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people; for this latter he did once for all in offering up himself. For the Law appoints as priests men who are weak; but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son who is forever perfect. Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens, a minister of the Holies and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord has set up, and not man.

Alleluia (Tone 2). The mouth of the just yields wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Stichon: The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not falter.

The Holy Gospel According to St. Luke the Evangelist (10:25-37). The Merciful Samaritan.

At that time, behold, a certain lawyer got up to test Jesus, saying, “Master, what must I do to gain eternal life?” But he said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read?” He answered and said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength, and with thy whole mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” And he said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you shall live.” But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell in with robbers, who after both stripping him and beating him went their way, leaving him half-dead. But, as it happened, a certain priest was going down the same way, and when he saw him, he passed by. And likewise a Levite also, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan as he journeyed came upon him, and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And he went up to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. And setting him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn and took care of him. And as he was leaving the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you send, I, on my way back, will repay you.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, proved himself neighbor to the man who fell among the robber?” And he said, “The one who took pity on him!” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do as he did.”