Liturgical Calendar

In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his heart's desire.

For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.

In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his heart's desire.

O God, You who made the holy Bishop Nicholas renowned for countless miracles, grant, we beseech You, that by his merits and prayers we may be saved from the fires of hell.

Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews

Brethren: Remember your superiors, who spoke to you the word of God. Consider how they ended their lives, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and today, yes, and forever. Do not be led away by various and strange doctrines. For it is good to make steadfast the heart by grace, not by foods, in which those who walked found no profit. We have an altar, from which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holies by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp; and so Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people by His Blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us therefore go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach; for here we have no permanent city, but we seek for the city that is to come. Through Him, therefore, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise always to God, that is, fruit of lips praising His name. And do not forget kindness and charity, for by such sacrifices God’s favor is obtained. Obey your superiors and be subject to them, for they keep watch as having to render an account of your souls.

I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him, that My hand may be always with him, and that My arm may make him strong.

No enemy shall deceive him, nor shall the wicked afflict him. Alleluia, alleluia.

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. Alleluia.

Continuation + of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going abroad, called his servants and handed over his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his particular ability, and then he went on his journey. And he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more. In like manner, he who had received the two gained two more. But he who had received the one went away and dug in the earth and hid his master’s money. Then after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had received the two talents came, and said, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; behold, I have gained two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’

My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted. (Alleluia.)

Sanctify, we beseech You, O Lord God, the gifts we offer on the feast of Your holy Bishop, Nicholas, that through them our life, whether in fortune or misfortune, may be directed aright.

Once, by My holiness, have I sworn; his posterity shall continue forever; and his throne shall be like the sun before Me; like the moon, which remains forever, a faithful witness in the sky.

May the sacrifice in which we have shared on the feast of Your holy Bishop Nicholas guard us with its lasting protection.