6th Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Martyr Hyacinth

Readings

The Reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans (12:6-14)

Brethren: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, let us prophesy according to our portion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Have kindly affection one for another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (9:1-8)

At that time, Jesus entered into a boat, and passed over and came into His own city. And behold, they brought to Him a man sick with the palsy, lying on a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the one sick with the palsy, ‘Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.’ And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, ‘This man blasphemeth.’ And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why think ye evil in your hearts? For which is easier: to say, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins,’– (then said He to the one sick with palsy) ‘Arise, take up thy bed and go unto thine house.’ And he arose and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had given such power unto men.

Troparia

Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 5)

Let us, O faithful, praise and worship the Word Who is co-unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, and Who was born of the Virgin for our salvation; for He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh and to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Troparion of the Holy Martyr Hyacinth (Tone 4)

In his suffering O Lord, Thy martyr Hyacinth received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he cast down the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.

Kontakion of the Resurrection (Tone 5)

Thou didst rise from the tomb, O omnipotent Saviour, and Hades was terrified on beholding the wonder; and the dead arose, and creation at the sight thereof rejoiceth with Thee. And Adam also is joyful, and the world, O my Saviour, praiseth Thee forever.

Kontakion of the Holy Martyr Hyacinth (Tone 6)

Having acquired Thy Faith like a tree of life in the midst of his soul, Thy martyr, O Christ, became more honourable than the Garden of Eden, by his spirit boldly destroying the tree of the serpent’s deception; and he was crowned with Thy glory, O greatly Merciful One.

THE HOLY MARTYR HYACINTH

A young man and a courtier at the court of Emperor Trajan, Hyacinth was a secret Christian. Once, when Emperor Trajan and his entire court solemnly offered sacrifices to the idols, Hyacinth refrained from this abominable activity. For that he was accused and brought before the emperor to be judged. The emperor counselled him to deny Christ and offer sacrifices to the idols. But Hyacinth remained as firm as a diamond and said to the emperor: “I am a Christian and I honour Christ. I worship Him, and to Him alone do I offer myself as a living sacrifice.” Beaten, spat upon and flayed, this holy martyr was thrown into prison. By order of the emperor, he was given nothing to eat except sacrifices offered before the idols. Hyacinth refused to partake of them and after eight days died in prison. Then the prison guards saw two radiant angels in the prison: One angel covered the body of the martyred Hyacinth with his radiant vesture, and the other angel placed a glorious wreath on his head. The entire prison was illuminated and fragrant. The youthful Hyacinth honourably suffered and was crowned with eternal glory in the year 108 A.D.

SAINT ANATOLIUS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Anatolius was at first a presbyter in the Church at Alexandria, but following the death of Patriarch Flavian, he was elevated to the patriarchal throne of Constantinople, in the year 449 A.D. During his time, the throne of Constantinople was recognized as equal to the throne of Rome, by the Ecumenical Council held in Chalcedon in 451 A.D. He struggled greatly for the purity of the Orthodox Faith and suffered much at the hands of the heretics, until he was slain by them in the year 458 A.D., during the reign of Pope Leo the Great. Anatolius governed the Church for nearly nine years, and took up his heavenly habitation among the holy hierarchs in the Kingdom of God.