St. Luke Byzantine Catholic Church

Liturgy:

Wednesday, June 23 - Festal Vespers at 7:00 pm

Thursday, June 24 - Divine LIturgy at 7:00 pm

The Nativity of the Holy forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John: The Gospel (Luke 1:5) relates that the rightous parents of Saint John the Baptist, the Priest Zachariah and Elizabeth, lived in the ancient city of Hebron.  They reached old age without having children, since Elizabeth was barren.  Once, Saint Zachariah was serving in the Temple at Jerusalem and saw the Archangel Gabriel.  He predicted that Saint Zachariah would father a son, who would announce the Savior, the Messiah, awaited by the Old Testament Church. 

Saint Elizabeth came to be with child, and fearing derision at being pregnant so late in life, she kept it secret for five months. Then her relative, the Virgin Mary, came to share with her Her own joy.  the Mother of God, Saint John leaped in his mother's womb at the visit of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and the Son of God incarnate within Her. Elizabeth, "filled with the Holy Spirit," was the first to greet the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. Saint John leaped in his mother's womb at the visit of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and the Son of God incarnate 

within Her.

Soon Saint Elizabeth gave birth to a son. On the eighth day, in accordance with the Law of Moses, he was circumcised and was called John. Everyone was amazed, since no on else in the family had this name. When thy asked Saint Zachariah about this, he motioned for a tablet and wrote on it: "His name is John." Immediately his tongue was loosed, and Saint Zachariah glorified God. 

Troparion:

Prophet and forerunner of the coming of Christ, although we honor you with love, we cannot give you worthy praise. Through your glorious and holy birth, your mother was freed from barrenness and your father from the loss of speech, and the incarnation of the Son of God is proclaimed to the world. 

Kontakion:

Today she who once was barren gives birth to Christ's forerunner. He himself is the fulfillment of all prophecy; for in the Jordan, he imposed his hand upon the Word of God whom the prophets had foretold and was shown to be His prophet, herald, and forerunner. 

Liturgy:

Monday, June 28 -  Festal Vespers at 7:00 pm

Tuesday, June 29 -Divine Liturgy at 7:00 pm

Simon, son of Jonah and brother of Andrew, was among the disciples to confess that Jesus was the Christ, son of the living God. It was by Jesus that he was called Peter. Paul, Apostle of the gentiles, preached Christ crucified to the Jews and the Greeks. Both announced the Gospel of Jesus Christ in faith and love in the city of Rome and died martyrs under the emperor Nero. The first, as the tradition goes, was nailed to a cross with his head downward and was buried in the Vatican next to the Triumphal Way. The other received his punishment from the sword and was interred at the Ostian Way. Their triumph, equal in honor and veneration, is celebrated by the whole world on this day.  

Troparion:

Leaders of the Apostles, teachers of the world, intercede with the Lord of All to grant peace to the world and abundant mercy to our souls. 

Kontakion:

Lord, You have received your steadfast and inspired preachers, the foremost of your apostles, into the enjoyment of Your good gifts and repose. You preferred their sufferings and death above any sacrifice. For You alone know the secrets of the heart.