Sunday, December 27: 30th Sunday after Pentecost/Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

Holy Mystery of Penance/Confession, with pastor Fr Kevin Kennedy by arrangement; call the office (415) 752-205

The Scripture Readings
Colossians 3:4-11 Epistle (29th Sunday)
Luke 14:16-24 Gospel (28th Sunday)

http://www.byzantinecatholic.org/calendar/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/events/140649959632699
http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/Epiphany/e12111-WeekofHolyForefathers.htm

Troparion of the Sunday,
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, / Co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, / born for our salvation from the Virgin, / for He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, / to endure death / and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Hymn to the Theotokos,
Rejoice, O impassable gate of the Lord! / Rejoice, O wall and protection of those who run to you! / Rejoice, O unshakable refuge! / Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of your God and Creator! / Do not cease praying for those who praise you and worship your Son. (1x) Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more.

Kontakion of the Sunday,
Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, / shattering its gates as almighty; / resurrecting the dead as Creator, / and destroying the sting of death. / Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, / and we all cry to Thee: "O Lord, save us!"

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, Troparion, Tone II —
Through faith Thou hast justified the Forefathers,/ betrothing through them the Church of the gentiles./ These saints exult in glory/ for from their seed came forth a glorious fruit:/ She who bore Thee without seed.// So by their prayers, O Christ God, have mercy upon us.

Kontakion, You did not worship the graven image/ O thrice-blessed ones,/ but armed with the immaterial Essence of God,/ you were glorified in a trial by fire./ From the midst of the unbearable flames you called upon God crying:/ Hasten O Compassionate One!/ Speedily come to our aid,// for Thou art merciful and able to do as Thou willest.

Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, Philemon & Companions,Troparion,
In their sufferings, O Lord,/ Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee our God;/ for, possessed of Thy might,/ they set at nought the tormenters and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons.// By their supplications save Thou our souls.

Kontakion, Tone II "The steadfast" —
Reviling the impious tyrant,/ O champions of faith and piety,/ ye denounced his bestial thirst for blood,/ and fortified by the help of Christ, O Thyrsus and Leucius,/ ye vanquished his wrathful opposition.// With those who suffered with you, pray ye in our behalf.