November 21, 2023

Events of the day

• Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers

  Polyeleos rank

Fasting

No fast

No fast today.

Food rules are reference church information. Agree your personal measure of fasting with a priest; consult a doctor if you are ill.

Readings of the day

• Vespers

  Joshua 5:13–15

• Vespers

  Judges 6:2, 7, 11–24

• Vespers

  Isaiah 14:7–20

• Matins Gospel

  Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

• Epistle

  2 Thessalonians 1:10–2:2

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  ¹⁰when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

  ¹¹To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith with power,

  ¹²that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  ¹Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, we ask you

  ²not to be quickly shaken in your mind, and not be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as if from us, saying that the day of Christ has already come.

• Epistle · Angels

  Hebrews 2:2–10

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  ²For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

  ³how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard,

  ⁴God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

  ⁵For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

  ⁶But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?

  ⁷You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.

  ⁸You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet.

  ⁹But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

  ¹⁰For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

• Gospel

  Luke 12:42–48

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  ⁴²The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?

  ⁴³Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.

  ⁴⁴Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.

  ⁴⁵But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,

  ⁴⁶then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful.

  ⁴⁷That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,

  ⁴⁸but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.

• Gospel · Angels

  Luke 10:16–21

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  ¹⁶Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

  ¹⁷The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

  ¹⁸He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.

  ¹⁹Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.

  ²⁰Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

  ²¹In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”

Source: Orthocal: lectionary data — Slavic tradition, Julian calendar. Text: World English Bible.

Saints and icons

• Prayer of the day: The Jesus Prayer