The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost – Tone Four

Resurrectional Troparion, Tone 4.
When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel the joyous proclamation of the Resurrection, casting off the ancestral condemnation, they spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is overturned! Christ our God is risen, granting the world great mercy.

Glory.

Resurrectional Kontakion, Tone 4.
My Saviour and Deliverer, as God, from the grave hath raised up the earthborn from their fetters; and He hath broken the gates of Hades, and, as Master, hath arisen on the third day.

Now and ever.

Theotokion, Tone 4.
The mystery hidden from the ages and unknown to the angels was made manifest to those on earth through thee, O Theotokos: God became incarnate in an unconfused union, and for our sake He willingly took up the Cross, whereby He raised up the first-formed man and saved our souls from death.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4.
Psalm 103:24, 1.
How great are Thy works, O Lord! Thou hast made all things in wisdom: the earth is filled with Thy riches.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, Thou art exceedingly great.

The Lesson of the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians.
Galatians §203 (2:16-20).
Brethren: Knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. But if while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners; is Christ then the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build up again the things which I have destroyed, I make myself a prevaricator. For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God: with Christ I am nailed to the cross. And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and delivered Himself for me.

Alleluia, Tone 4.
Psalm 44.
Alleluia.
Verse 1: Set out, proceed prosperously, and reign: because of truth and meekness and justice.
Alleluia.
Verse 2: Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke.
Saint Luke §35 (8:5-15).
The Lord spoke this parable: The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, He cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And His disciples asked Him what this parable might be. To whom He said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience. Saying these things, He cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Communion.
Psalm 148:1.
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye Him in the high places. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.