In previous issues, the lives of the Saints were given in as much detail as space would allow, even more than space would allow. It might be better this month to focus on our Lord's Birth, also called "Christmas." However, the Saints in December point to the Lord's birth, and their Psalms are interwoven with the message of Christmas. The Celtic calendar does not emphasize the favorite Eastern Saints of December such as St. Barbara Dec. 4^th, St. Nicholas Dec. 6^th, and St. Spiridon Dec. 17^th, but the Celtic calendar does have other Saints such as St. Thomas December 21^st, St. Stephen first Deacon Dec. 26^th, the Ss. John and James Dec. 27^th, the Holy Innocents Dec. 28^th, Victor and angels who visited as birds Dec. 29^th, Ailbe and remembering the poor Dec. 30^th, Silvester Confessor and Pope Dec. 31^st with the end of the Roman calendar year. Every great Saint and great event in December deserves mention, but here it is again recommended highly to purchase and read the Lives of the Holy Apostles, which is available from the Holy Apostles Convent, P.O. Box 3118, Buena Vista, CO 31211, U.S.A.

Also, the Saints in December such as St. Clement of Alexandria (Dec. 4^th), St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Dec. 6^th), etc., spoke about the divinity of Christ from the Birth of our Lord. "Jolly old St. Nick" is somebody who should remind us that Jesus Christ is born, and we should glorify Him! A young child soon learns that the department store "Santa Claus" is only an actor in a mask, but a child can be given the story of the real Saint Nicholas who gave money to children, especially young girls, so that they could have a normal life and not be forced into a sinful life. St. Nicholas was also willing to go to jail to speak the truth about the Divine Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every child is eager to give to the poor themselves, and wishes to share in the divine gifts of Christmas. The real St. Nicholas was thin and tall, but not stern; he was known to give everything away to the poor. His charity and belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ have continued to this day, and his relics still give a milky substance. A young child may also be given pictures of the town of Bethlehem, and told the wonderful story of Christmas in Scripture in the Gospels of St. Luke and St. Matthew. Any song or carol which sings of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ should be encouraged. Also read the Protevangelium of James, which is a first century apocryphal story of St. Elizabeth and the birth of St. John the Baptist, and the Blessed Virgin Mary and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It also includes some of the history of St. Thomas concerning the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Scripture mentions St. Zacharias, the high priest and father of St. John the Baptist, offering incense in the Holy of Holies of the temple at Jerusalem, which took place at the end of September. This event, together with the time of the Annunciation and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with St. Elizabeth, point to the fact that the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ indeed took place December 25^th.
 

One small point: the "Twelve Days of Christmas" is actually the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany in January, not twelve days before Christmas. Preparation for Christmas begins at the beginning of Advent, with a special focus seven days before Christmas. Later traditions sing the verses of the carol, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" the week before Christmas, and these are similar to the Byzantine Christmas Vespers Canon; both probably pointing to an earlier tradition. On the Old Calendar this year, December 25^th/ January 7^th falls on a Monday, so the Psalms and Propers of the last Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve must both be done on Sunday, and the Vigil and Mass for Christmas which begins that evening is the next day. (If a person receives Holy Communion on Christmas Eve, they may also receive Holy Communion at the Vigil Mass for Christmas.) Christmas is one of those few fixed dates that is done on the date and not moved from a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. There is no fasting on Christmas.
 

The first Sunday of Advent on or just after November 13^th begins the Liturgical year with Psalm 1, and the first five Psalms are meditations on the first five Sundays of Advent (see the magazine articles of November concerning the beginning of Advent). The Psalm for St. Thomas (Dec. 21^st) fits his life and also the last Sunday before Christmas. St. Thomas is also called "Didymus," or the twin, and like our Lord, he walked far and wide to spread the Gospel. It is appropriate to remember that St. Joseph and St. Mary were also traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem at this time. The life of St. Thomas as recorded in Scripture and tradition also reveals the glory of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also the blessed miracles which occurred at the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Psalm 6 is penetential, and is better suited on Christmas Eve, when St. Joseph could find no room where the Blessed Virgin Mary could rest and give birth. On Christmas there are two Psalms of Praise: Psalm 148 is for Christmas alone. Psalm 150 is repeated on the three major Feasts of the year: the Resurrection, Christmas, and Pentecost. (Note: the Douay translation in Psalm 150 which says "choir" probably does not match the earlier Roman Latin which the Celts would have used, that said "dance." This Psalm suggests that at the most special Feasts of the Lord, those Feasts which call for 65 Particles of the Confraction of the Lorrha-Stowe Mass, there was an allowance made for instruments, especially: harps and plucked instruments favored by the Irish, psaltery or bowed instruments favored by the Cappadocians, especially St. Basil the Great who wrote on the beauty of bowed psaltery, trumpets, brass, woodwinds and organs, timbrel, bells, cymbals and other percussion, and voices. Today, we would call this a full orchestra and chorus, not just one or two instruments.) The Psalm for St. Thomas: Gradual Canticle, 127 (Greek numbering).

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in His ways. For thou shalt eat the labors of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, round about thy table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. And mayest thou see thy children's children: peace upon Israel.
 

The week after Christmas takes the Propers of the Liturgy of Christmas, but it is one of the few times when each day has another Psalm. The themes of these Psalms match the days in an uncanny way. In Greek numbering there is some transposition of dates: St. Stephen Dec. 26^th takes Psalm 7, Saints John and James Dec. 27^th takes Psalm 9 (or Hebrew 9 and 10), the Holy Innocents Dec. 28^th takes Psalm 8, Victor and the birds Dec. 29^th takes Greek numbering Psalm 10 (or Hebrew 11), Ailbe and the poor Dec. 30^th takes Greek numbering Psalm 11 (or Hebrew 12), and St. Silvester and the end of the Roman calendar year Dec. 31^st takes Greek numbering Psalm 12 (or Hebrew numbering 13). The difference between the Hebrew and Greek numbering of the Psalms points to the feast of St. John and St. James on December 27^th, which in calendars after the schism became only the Feast of St. John. Notice that this St. James is not one of the Twelve Apostles, but of the Seventy, "St. James of the Knees" also known as "the Righteous" and the "brother of the Lord" (a son of Joseph by his first wife before St. Joseph was widowed and betrothed to the Blessed Virgin Mary): and is the first Bishop of Jerusalem.
 

On January 1^st the Circumcision of our Lord is celebrated, which is also the Octave (eighth day) after Christmas, and the "Feast of Fools" or of beasts. (See note concerning April 1^st and dates of beginning on the secular calendar.) Psalm 13 (Greek numbering,14 Hebrew numbering) is the Psalm of that Feast. Only a "fool" would deny God, or reduce their belief in the Almighty intelligent God: one God in three Persons, or pay more attention to a secular observance than to the directions of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, the beasts gave their manger and their stalls to the Lord, and even today many beasts will sit still during prayers that many people are too busy to hear or say. When celebrating the "Feast of Fools" we look to the "foolish wisdom" of our Lord Jesus Christ Who gave Himself on the Cross for all of us, and Who gives us eternal life, rather than looking to the foolishness of the world. (See St. Paul's first Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 18 to 31 on the power and wisdom of God, the "foolishness" of the Cross.) The Octave of Christmas again reminds us of the Christmas message, which is heard by children and beasts, but should be heard by all people.
 

In case there is any doubt or question, our Lord Jesus Christ always was, is, and always will be the Only-begotten Son of God. Christ's wisdom and prophecy is founded on His Being, His divine Essence, His Nature, and His Incarnation; completely God and completely man. Our salvation is entirely due to our being the Offspring of God in Whom we live, and move, and have our being (see St. Paul's sermon to the philosophers in Athens in the Book of Acts, chapter 17). As the Celtic Christmas Vigil prayers remind us, the three wise men show that Jesus Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King; and greater than these, He is God.
 

Due to space considerations, only the Feast of St. Thomas and the Feasts of Christmas Eve and the last week of December are included in this newsletter.
 

21 Dec /3 Jan

The prayer of the holy Thomas, let us entreat him before (beginning) works;

his death - a tale of torment! was in India according to (historic) staves.
 

Of Thomais, i.e. Thomas, an Apostle: he suffered in India, but his corpse was borne to the city of Eddessa in Syria under Alexander general and king of the Romans and there he awaits the resurrection of the Just. [sed corpus eius ad Edisam ciuitatem Siriae aportatum est sub Alaxandro imperatore rege Romanorum... Et ibi cum onore & expectat resurrectionem iustorum.]

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Toma Apostle in India; Iohannis; Serenus Bishop; Zefanus (Stephen); Celsus; Tecla; Foccus; Florus; Honoratus; Dimetrus; Iononatus; Iohannis; Matheus and thirty others. Also: Silani Bishop of Less Mor; Fulartaich son of Bricc son of Scandail (also March 29^th), Flaind son of Fairchellaig; Molua from Mungarit; Berr and Churennan in Ros; Seven sons of Dretell of Inis Uachtar; Mochua from Caill Insi Ailche.

The history of the holy Apostle Thomas.

The Apostle Thomas, also called Didymus (which means "twin"), was born in Paneada in Galilee of poor parents. Still, he studied the law of Moses in his youth, not interested in the games of children. He only was involved in physical labor or study. He struggled as a fisherman, but it is probable that he did other trades as well, such as working as a builder. At least his studies included architecture. Our Lord Jesus Christ passed through the cities and villages teaching and healing, and St. Thomas heard Him and followed Him, becoming one of the Twelve Apostles. When Lazarus was four days in the tomb, before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, St. Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him" (St. John 11:16).

The famous passage of the Gospel of St. John 20:19-31 concerning the doubts of St. Thomas after the Resurrection is used in all Churches, whether Celtic, Byzantine, or Roman, on the Sunday after Pascha, called "The Close of Pascha" in the Celtic Rite, "St. Thomas Sunday" in the Byzantine Rite, or "Low Sunday" in the Roman Rite. (The readings for the "Close of Pascha" complementing this Gospel in the Celtic Rite are also important: Isaiah 61:1-7 "...The acceptable year of the Lord..."; and for the Epistle, I Corinthians. 15:12-28 "...But now is Christ risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep..."; and a Sequence that is specified, although it is not a Psalm, Daniel 3:1-45 the first part of Daniel before the Song of the Three Youths.) In this Gospel, we hear how St. Thomas was not present with the other Apostles when Jesus first visited them in their room after the Resurrection. So St. Thomas doubts the Lord's Resurrection, saying, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." But after eight days, when Jesus again visited them in the room with St. Thomas present, after wishing them peace, the Lord turned to St. Thomas and told him to put his finger into His side, and be not faithless but believing. The Scripture does not say that St. Thomas needed to do such a thing, but instead he said to Jesus, "My Lord and my God." Jesus then told him, and all of us, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." The Lord blesses us for our faith in His Resurrection, but also, it is St. Thomas who emphasizes that the same Lord Who suffered is the Lord Who came back from the dead. The Lord Jesus Christ was not an illusion, or a phantom, or even some kind of different being that would not suffer pain, but the same Lord, fully human and fully Divine. The questions and the demonstration given to St. Thomas help us to realize the truth of the Resurrection. Therefore, this important passage is always read in the Close of "Bright Week" after Pascha.

After Christ Ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles at Pentecost, lots were cast to see where each of them should go to preach the Word of God. The lot of St. Thomas was to go far to the east, to India, and to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, and Bactrians. (See St. Bartholomew, who also went to lands to the east. St. Bartholomew copied the Gospel of St. Matthew from the Aramaic and brought it with him to India, which might be the source of the "Gospel of St. Thomas" which is not one of the four Gospels, but which has some valid history.) This area, mostly east of the Caspian Sea, was huge, difficult to travel to because of the expense of going so great a distance and the dangers of the road, and also it was very pagan and fierce. (Some of this area is now Afganistan, Pakistan, etc.) St. Thomas was dismayed, but the Lord appeared to him in a vision, giving him strength and commanding him to be brave. The Lord Jesus also said He would be with St. Thomas, and it happened that soon He showed St. Thomas an easy way to travel to those lands.

The King of India, named Gundafor, wanted to build the most wonderful palace for himself ever, and he had heard that at Palestine there were very skilled architects (perhaps because of the renovation of the temple which was done by "Herod the Great," the tetrarch of Galilee appointed by the Roman Mark Antony in 37 B.C. This was the same Herod who killed the innocents in Bethlehem; St. Matthew 2:16.) Gundafor wanted a palace to rival the Roman emperors. Gundafor sent a trusty merchant named Abban to Palestine to search for such a man. The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Abban in the marketplace, and said to him: "Wilt thou not purchase a captive of Mine, who is a builder by trade?" Abban replied: "Yea." The Savior then pointed St. Thomas out to Abban, and they agreed to a price of three pounds of silver. The Master and Lord of all Christians then signed the bill of sale, in writing, saying: "I, Jesus, son of Joseph the carpenter, do sell My slave Thomas to Abban." Then Abban went to St. Thomas and showed him the bill of sale, and asked him if he were truly a slave. St. Thomas immediately said, "Yea. He is my Lord, and in His compassion, hath paid a tremendous sum as ransom for me." Thomas then followed and served Abban. That evening, the Lord Jesus appeared to St. Thomas in a vision, and showed him the silver, saying, "Know thou the price of thy purchase. May My grace be ever with thee." Then, Abban took a sailing ship with St. Thomas, and they set sail.

They stopped at the city of Andrapolis, and heard trumpets and other instruments playing. Heralds of the king of the city proclaimed that the king was giving his daughter in marriage, and everybody must attend, whether rich or poor, slaves and travelers, and if any did not come they would be judged by the king. St. Abban and St. Thomas went to the wedding at the palace. St. Thomas took the last place and ate nothing, spending the time in thought. A person near asked him, "Why did you come here, when you do not eat or drink?" St. Thomas answered that he had come to the wedding because it was the will of the king, but he did not come to eat or drink. A woman who was a Jew played the lute (l'oud, a Middle-Eastern instrument which became popular in Europe many centuries later), and played for each person. She came to St. Thomas and sang in Hebrew, "One is the God of the Jews, Who hath made heaven and the earth." The Apostle was glad to hear this, and asked her to repeat her song several times. The wine-master struck him in the face, seeing that he was not participating in the general party, saying to be happy, not sad, and join the company of those that drink. The Apostle Thomas said to him in Hebrew, "May the Lord reward thee for this even in this life! May I see the hand which struck me dragged about by a dog in the sight of many!" Soon the wine-master went to the well outside to bring water for guests to mix with their wine. A lion slew him, and after having some blood, went away. Then dogs came and tore the body to pieces. One black dog took the right hand into the banquet hall and dropped it in sight of everyone. Everyone asked whose hand it was. The woman who played the lute told all of them, "A strange and fearful mystery hath taken place among us: either God or a messenger of God is with us among those reclining at this feast. For I saw how the wine-master struck a certain man, and I heard that man say: 'May I see thy right hand dragged about by a dog in the sight of many!' And this, as ye can see, hath taken place." Then all present were terribly afraid.

The king heard about the event after the banquet was ended, and summoned the Apostle Thomas to him. The king then said, "Enter the palace and bless my daughter who hath been given in marriage." The Apostle entered the bed-chamber, and his blessing was to teach the couple chastity, and how to preserve pure virginity, and then he prayed over them and blessed them, and left the room. The couple both had a dream where they saw Jesus Christ who appeared to them as the Apostle Thomas, and embraced them with love. The husband said to the Lord, "Thou wast the first to leave us. How is it, then, that thou hast come hither again?" The Lord answered, "I am not Thomas, but his Brother. All who have renounced the world and follow Me, as he hath done, will not only be My brethren in the life to come, but will also inherit My kingdom. Wherefore, do not forget, O My children, what My brother hath counseled you; and if, in accordance with his advice, ye preserve your virginity inviolate, ye will be counted worthy of imperishable crowns in My heavenly bridal-chamber." And then the Lord vanished. They both woke from sleep, and both discovered that they had had the same dream, and then they prayed the rest of the night. [Note: the Church does not condemn marriage or children, but each person has their own calling in life. St. Thomas knew that the daughter of this king would be involved in the things of this world, tied to her father's and husband's earthly kingdoms if she consummated the marriage, but as a virgin, she would be more free to learn about the Kingdom of heaven. Christ blessed and healed many children, and helped the mother-in-law of the Apostle Peter. Celebacy is encouraged in the Church, but marriage is also a Sacrament of the Church.]

In the morning, the king visited them in their rooms, and found the new couple sitting apart from each other. When he asked them why they were not together, they told him that, "We are praying to God to give us the strength to preserve our virginity until death, so that we may be given eternal crowns in the bridal-chamber of heaven, as the Lord who appeared promised." The king realized that the stranger had convinced them to do this, and he sent servants to arrest St. Thomas, but he and Abban had already left in their ship for India.

In India, Abban told king Gundafor that he had brought a builder from Palestine who could build palaces to please the king. The king joyfully brought St. Thomas to the place where he planned to build his palace, and it was a place with trees and springs. The king asked St. Thomas to draw a plan for his approval. The king was about to take a journey for three years and wanted the palace completed when he returned. With a reed pen, the Apostle Thomas drew a detailed structural plan. The palace's eastern side had many windows to let in the light; the western side had many doors to let in breezes; the north end had ovens so that their heat would be away from the rest of the palace; and the south side had fountains just outside to keep the palace cool. The king was delighted, and said that truly St. Thomas was a great craftsman fit to serve a king. The king then gave St. Thomas a great quantity of gold for the costs of laying the foundations. St. Thomas told the king that it was not yet the proper month to begin the construction, it should be started in October. The king added to the gold, silver, wheat, wine, oil, and other provisions. As soon as the king departed on his three year journey, St. Thomas went to the place where the palace was to be built, and gave all the gold, silver, and foods to the poor. The Apostle Thomas spent every minute of every day preaching the Gospel of Christ to the people who came to him.

The young couple who had pledged to preserve their virginity heard that the Apostle was preaching in India, and they came to India to find him. This time, the Apostle Thomas had the time to instruct them in the Christian Faith, and they received Baptism. [If they had been beginning a family at that time, they would not have been able to journey, and would not have received the crowns of Baptism.] The virgin was named in Baptism Pelagia, and later was Martyred. The young man was named in Baptism Dionysius, and later became a Bishop. They both returned to the land where the Apostle had first met them, with St. Thomas's blessing, and then they themselves began to teach others the glories of Jesus Christ. They established churches in their cities.

King Gundafor wanted to learn how the construction was going, and after two years he sent messengers inquiring if it was near completion. The Apostle told the messengers that the palace was almost finished, it only needed its roof. The king was pleased to hear this, and he sent St. Thomas more gold so that the roof could be especially beautiful. St. Thomas thanked heaven for more gold, and prayed to God, "I thank Thee, O Lord Who lovest mankind, that Thou arrangest the salvation of men in divers ways!" Again St. Thomas gave every cent of it to the poor, and he continued to preach the Word of God.

The king meanwhile finally heard that St. Thomas had not begun construction on his palace, but had given away all the gold, and was instead going about the towns and cities preaching some new God and working miracles. The king had his servants arrest St. Thomas and bring him to the king. Then the king asked St. Thomas if he had built the palace. St. Thomas answered, "I have built it; and it is, moreover, a magnificent and beautiful one." The king then said, "Let us go and look upon thy palace." The Apostle replied, "During thy lifetime thou canst not see this palace; but when thou wilt depart from this life, thou wilt see it and, dwelling in it with joy, thou shalt live there for eternity." The king thought St. Thomas was mocking him, and he threw St. Thomas into prison with the merchant Abban, intending to have them flayed alive and then burned on a pyre. Abban accused St. Thomas of ruining both of their lives through deceit, but St. Thomas said, "Do not be afraid; the time hath not yet come for us to die. We will live, and in freedom; and the king will hold us in honor for the palace I have built for him in the kingdom of heaven."

That night the king's brother Gad became ill, and sent a messenger to the king saying, "Because of thy grief I also fell into melancholy, and from this I have become ill, and now I am near death." Then the king's brother died. Now the king forgot his sorrow of the loss of material wealth and became terribly full of grief over the death of his brother. The angel of the Lord took the soul of the dead man to the mansions of heaven to show him the indescribable palaces there. One was more wonderful than all the others. The angel asked the soul of the man in which palace would he would want to dwell. The soul of the man looked at the most beautiful of all the palaces and said, "If it were permitted me to abide in but a corner of this palace, I would need nothing else." But the angel said to the soul of the man, "Thou mayest not dwell in this palace, for it belongeth to thy brother, with whose gold the stranger Thomas, who is known of thee, built it." Then said the soul: "I entreat thee, lord: let me go to my brother, and I will buy this palace from him, for he is yet unaware of its beauty, and having purchased it, I will return hither again."

The angel then returned the soul to the body of the man, and he returned to life. He woke as if he had been only asleep, and immediately asked those who were there if they could bring his brother the king to his side as soon as they could. The king heard that his brother was revived, and with great joy ran to his side and saw that it was true that he was alive. The man who was risen from the dead then told the king he was certain that the king had wept for him as his brother, and would have given half his kingdom to free him from death. The king told him that was true. The brother then asked the king, if he loved him so much, to give him one single gift. The king told him that everything he owned in his kingdom he would give to him, and swore an oath. Then his brother asked the king, "Then give me the palace which thou hast in the heavens, and in return take all my property." The king was disturbed by this and could not say a word. He asked his brother, "From where can I have acquired a palace in the heavens?" The brother said, "Truly, in the heavens there is such a palace, the like of which thou hast never seen under the sun, and of which thou art unaware. It was built for thee by Thomas, whom thou holdest in prison. I have seen it and marvelled at its indesribable beauty, and asked to dwell in but a corner of it, but that was not permitted me; for the angel who was leading me said: 'It is not possible for thee to dwell therein, for this palace belongeth to thy brother and was built by Thomas who is known to thee.' I asked the angel to let me return to thee, that I might purchase the palace of thee. And thus, if thou lovest me, give it to me and take instead all my property!"

Finally, the king was glad both over his brother's return to life and also that a palace was built for him in the heavens. But, rather than selling his palace to his brother, he said, "My beloved brother, I have promised not to refuse thee anything which is under mine authority on earth; but I did not promise thee that palace which is in heaven. But if thou wishest, we have an architect who may erect just such a palace for thee also." Then the king sent servants to release St. Thomas and the merchant Abban from prison. The king went to the holy Apostle and fell at his feet, begging forgiveness for his sin committed in ignorance. The Apostle gave thanks to God, and began to teach the king and his brother the Christian Faith, and they were moved with love in their souls. They were soon Baptized and taught to live as Christians, and they gave great alms to the poor, erecting mansions in heaven for them both. The Apostle stayed with them for some time, and then journeyed on to preach in other cities and towns.

As he entered one of the principal cities, he was very humble, with his hair unwashed, his face pallid, his body emaciated, and his clothing tattered, but his words and deeds were wonderful. The people had a habit of so many years of ungodliness that he realized it would be difficult to move them. Rather than using force and strictness, which would have been of no use, he used kind words to enlighten them. He did not show disdain for them, but spoke in humility. The people saw his works, wisdom, sensibility, and began to listen to his preaching, asking him about his origin, religion and purpose with them. St. Thomas told them he was a disciple of Christ, "Who, because He is God Who loves mankind, Himself became a Man, that He might give to those who believe on Him everlasting life, salvation of soul, and other ineffable and indescribable blessings." He also told them about the crucifixion of the Lord and the Resurrection, and the Ascension of the Lord in the presence of his disciples. He told them, "I am one of the twelve servants of the Word who witnessed all the miracles He performed. I am come to you out of love for you, and to preach unto you the infinite compassion and boundless mercy of God." He told them many other things and also worked miracles in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that they received the seed of Faith and it sprouted in their hearts.

At this time, the Dormition of the Birthgiver of God, the ever-virgin Mary took place. All the Apostles including St. Thomas were called to Jerusalem just prior to her departure from this life, caught up on clouds of heaven and brought by the angels directly to Gethsemane. Even so, St. Thomas was so far distant that he arrived the third day after the day the blessed Birthgiver of God was buried. The will of God, again through St. Thomas, assured all of the Apostles of the truth of the Resurrection of the dead, because through his delay they visited her tomb only to find her body had been assumed into heaven after she had died. [There are a few different versions of this: one that after he arrived he asked to see the place where she was buried, and even though it had been watched, the body was not there. See the Protevangelium of James. Another version is noted in the history of St. Thomas.] The Apostle Thomas was caught up in a cloud from India, arriving over the tomb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and from there he saw her body ascending into the heavens. He cried out to her, "Whither goest thou, O all-holy one?" And she removed her cincture, and gave it to St. Thomas, saying, "Receive this, my friend." And then she was gone. Then St. Thomas descended and found the other Apostles keeping watch over the sepulchre. He sat down, and was sad that he had not been with her when she had reposed, as the other Apostles had been. He said to them, "We are all disciples of the Master; we all preach the same thing; we are all servants of one Lord, Jesus Christ. How, then, is it that ye were counted worthy to behold the repose of His Mother, and I was not? Am I not an Apostle? Can it be that God is not pleased with my preaching? I beseech you, my fellow disciples: open the tomb, that I also may look upon her remains, and embrace them, and bid her farewell!" Then they opened the tomb, but discovered that her incorrupt and immortal body had been transported to paradise. [She was taken bodily to heaven even before the second coming of Christ, when at the general resurrection, the righteous will receive imperishable bodies. Byzantine icons of her have an eight pointed star on her shoulders and forehead, symbolizing that the eighth day of Creation will be the General Resurrection. In the Celtic Rite, the number of Confraction Particles for her and also for Martyrs is also eight.]

The Blessed Virgin Mary also appeared to all the Apostles together with her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. When the Apostles gathered for meals after the Ascension, they also left a place at the table for their Master, and cut a portion of bread, placing it at the head of the table as Christ's portion. After eating, they would elevate this bread, saying, "Great is the Name of the Holy Trinity! O Lord, Jesus Christ, help us!" Then each would eat a small piece of that bread. After the Dormition of the Birthgiver of God, they also sat down to eat, but at the end of their prayers, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to them and said, "Rejoice, for I am with you all the days of your life!" And when they saw her, they said, "All-holy Birthgiver, save us!" Then they were all convinced that the Mother of God, like her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, was truly resurrected on the third day and had been assumed in her body into the heavens. Ever since, a piece of bread has been set aside in her name. [In Byzantine service books this is called the elevation of the Panagia, because the bread is triangular for the Blessed Trinity and also the Virgin Mary. The words of this are almost exactly the same as the ancient Roman service of "Benediction," although the Byzantine Rite does not use holy Eucharist. In Celtic practice, a Particle of the Holy Eucharist may be used for an evening Benediction, but this would not be consumed at that time. It is not a modern practice to venerate the Holy Eucharist, Who is the divine presence of the Lord Jesus Christ among us Himself. Those who saw Him worshiped Him, and we may also do this, some climbing trees to see Him. The service is similar to the Roman Benediction, although the words are not exactly the same.]

After the angels returned St. Thomas to India, he stayed in Mylapore and enlightened many with the words of the Gospel and did a great miracle. A pagan priest killed his son and told everybody that St. Thomas had done the crime. A mob took St. Thomas, and demanded that the court torture him. No witnesses could be found to exonerate him, so St. Thomas asked the judge and people if he could ask the murdered man who killed him, in the Name of God. They all went to the body, and St. Thomas prayed to heaven first, then said to the corpse, "In the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I command thee, young man: tell us who slew thee!" And the man said, "My own father slew me!" All cried, "Great is the God which Thomas proclaimeth!" And they freed St. Thomas, but the pagan priest fell into the pit he had dug for Thomas. Many people believed because of this miracle, and were Baptized.

St. Thomas traveled further to Kalamida which was ruled by king Mazdai. He preached Jesus Christ there, and converted a woman named Sindikia, who was a niece of Migdonia, the wife of Karizius who was the royal favorite. Sindikia taught Migdonia the truth about Jesus Christ, so that she would believe in the one God, the Creator of the universe. Migdonia asked to see St. Thomas and hear his teaching. Sindikia told her to dress in rags so she would not be recognized, and then they would go to hear him together. They went and found St. Thomas preaching to the poor. St. Thomas was preaching about many things, about the Lord Jesus Christ, and also death, Gehenna, and the kingdom of heaven. Migdonia became convinced about Christ, and when she returned home she began to stay away from unbelievers. She also began to abstain from worldly pleasures, including marital relations with her husband Karisius. Her husband was so upset that he asked king Mazdai to send his own consort queen Tertiana to convince Migdonia to continue marital relations. Queen Tertiana and Migdonia were related to eachother. However, the result was that Tertiana also went to hear St. Thomas, and he Baptized both Tertiana and Migdonia, and both of the women decided not to have marital relations with their unbelieving husbands.

St. Thomas continued to work miracles among both the poor and the rich. But both the king and his friend Karizius investigated and found the foreigner Thomas had convinced them to end marital relations with their husbands. Also, the king's son Wazan and others in the royal household, and also many of the poor were also followers of Thomas. The king and his friend became very angry, and had St. Thomas arrested and put in prison.

The king tried the Apostle, asking him first if he was a slave or freeman. St. Thomas answered, "I am a slave of Him over Whom thou hast no authority." The king said, "I see that thou art a wicked slave who hast escaped thy master and come to this land to corrupt people and confuse our wives. Who is thy master?" St. Thomas replied, "My master is the Lord of heaven and of earth, the God and Author of all creation. He hath sent me to preach His holy Name and to lead the people out of error." Then the king told him to cease this speech, that is deceiving the whole country and by cleverness turned their wives away from them. Then the king commanded the Apostle to give their wives back to them in their former love and relations, or if not be put to death. St. Thomas replied, "It doth not become the handmaids of Christ to have marital relations with iniquitous men, nor for the faithful to be defiled by the impious and unbelieving."

Then the king brought plates of iron heated until they were red hot, and had the Apostle's bare feet put on them. But when the feet of St. Thomas were put upon the plates, water flowed from under the plates and cooled them. Then St. Thomas was cast into a fiery furnace, but he came forth from it unharmed the next day. St. Thomas was then taken back to prison. At midnight the cell opened through his prayers to let in Christian visitors. He preached to them to be steady in the Faith, and not let a temporal death stop them, so they could find everlasting life. He taught many things and counseled them. Then he left his prison and went to a house where he Baptized many in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and also celebrated the holy Offering of the Lord in the Divine Liturgy. He told them after they had received Holy Communion, "This all-holy Body, which is become a Sacrifice, and this most precious Blood, which hath been shed on the Cross to redeem us from our sins, grant us salvation and the remission of sins, impart to us health of soul, and these are a sincere Sign of the kingdom of heaven and eternal blessedness." A voice from heaven was heard, saying, "Verily I say unto you: fear not, but have faith!" Then the Apostle returned to his prison cell, locking it behind him through prayer. Tertiana, Migdonia, and another woman named Marcia wished to stay in prison with him, sharing his suffering, but he told them, "My daughters and fellow laborers of our Lord Jesus Christ, hearken to my final word. Tomorrow, I go to my Master, to receive the reward of my manifold labors. And I rejoice and am glad for this; for hte time of my recompense hath arrived. But remain ye firmly in the Faith, neither be doubting nor downcast when ye see me die; for this death is not a true death, but rather a release and redemption of the body, which I joyfully accept, that I may enjoy life everlasting and the delights thereof, which will come also to you if ye keep the Faith unto the end." And then he shut the door of his cell, and the women wept knowing that Mazdai would kill him.

Karizius suggested to the king that he make St. Thomas worship the god of the sun so that the God of St. Thomas may become angry and no longer keep him from harm. When they led St. Thomas before the idol of the god of the sun, it melted before them like wax. A multitude of unbelievers came to believe on Jesus Christ because of this, but the pagan priests were angry that their idol was destroyed. The jailers also told the king that St. Thomas was able to open his cell door and come and go as he pleased, and that the king's wife and son had already visited him there. The king went to the prison, and was amazed, because the doors were secure. The king went into the cell of St. Thomas, and asked him again if he was a slave or freeman. St. Thomas answered, "I am a slave of my Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the true God and dwelleth in the heavens. He hath sent me here, that I may save many among you." The king answered, "I am weary of thy divinations. Therefore, I will put thee to the death that thou deservest, that I may deliver my people from thy sorceries and crimes." The king thought about how to kill St. Thomas, but at the same time was afraid because so many of his people had become Christians.

The king with his soldiers took St. Thomas outside the city, and they all thought that the king wanted to see a miracle. But a mile outside the city, the king gave St. Thomas to five soldiers, and told them to take St. Thomas into a mountain and run him through with spears. The king went further to the city of Axium. The son of the king, weeping, Wazan, and a man named Siphor and others hurried to the Apostle and caught up with him and the soldiers. St. Thomas asked permission of the soldiers to pray, and said, "O Lord my God, Thou hope and redemption of the faithful: lead me to Thee this day, that my soul may not be hindered in its ascent. Behold, I have completed the work which Thou hast assigned to me, and have carried out Thy commands. As Thy slave didst Thou sell me; therefore, render unto me my freedom this day." The Apostle Thomas blessed the Christians who had come, and Ordained Siphor Priest and Wazan Deacon, commanding them to increase the numbers of Faithful. Then St. Thomas turned to the soldiers and told them to carry out the king's order. They ran him through with five spears. This occurred near the city of Mylapore.

The Christians wept, and wrapped St. Thomas's body in a rich cloth purchased by Tertiana for a shroud, and they buried with honor him in ground set aside for royalty. [At that time, it was not always common for the pagans to burn their corpses. The Hindu "revival" had not yet taken place.] After the burial, Priest Siphor, Deacon Wazan, and Tertiana wept beside the grave. The Apostle Thomas appeared to them, ordering them to return to the city and keep the Christians there in the Faith. He also told Tertiana and Migdonia to preserve their piety with the help of the Master Christ. Priest Siphor and Deacon Wazan governed the Church with wisdom. But Tertiana and Migdonia were tortured long by their husbands king Mazdai and Karizius. Finding they would not submit even if death were threatened, the king and Karizius allowed them their freedom. The women then followed a strict rule of abstinence and prayer day and night, and helped the Church greatly.

King Mazdai had another son who became possessed of a demon years later. Nobody was able to cure him, so the king thought that if he opened the grave of St. Thomas and took out a bone and touched it to the cheek of his son, the demon would go away. St. Thomas then appeared to king Mazdai in a dream, saying, "Thou didst not believe in me when I was alive, do you think you will find help from me when I am dead? Do not remain in unbelief; My Lord Jesus Christ will have mercy and be gracious to thee. Take soil from my grave and put it on thy son, and he will be healed, because I am not one to remember wrongs." However, the dream made the king desire more to open the grave of the holy Apostle. When the grave was opened, he did not find the relics, because a Christian had already opened the grave and taken the relics to Mesopotamia so they could be enshrined in a Church there. King Mazdai did take some earth from the grave site, and put it on the neck of his son, saying, "O Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of thy Apostle Thomas, heal my son, and I will believe in Thee!" The demon left his son immediately, and the boy was restored to health. King Mazdai and all his nobles finally received holy Baptism from the Priest Siphor. The idols were then broken and temples destroyed, and in their place churches were built. The Word of God spread. The king asked for the prayers of the faithful, and the Priest Siphor said to them, "Pray all of you for king Mazdai, that he may receive mercy from our Lord Jesus Christ and the remission of his sins!" And all prayed for the king. The king also tearfully begged his former wife and friend, Tertiana and Migdonia for forgiveness for all the evil he had done to them and to the Apostle Thomas. Where St. Thomas had been buried, many miracles took place to the glory of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

St. Thomas, Apostle, (December 21^st / January 3^rd) - from the Bobbio Apostle's Creed, he said, 'He arose on the third day.' Byzantine Rite date of celebration: October 6^th. Roman date of celebration: Dec 21, (also first Sunday after Easter in some places) Celtic Rite dates: Dec 21, Nativity of Thomas May 30, translation July 3, the Resurrection Gospel of St. Thomas the Sunday after Easter. (The Roman and Celtic dates of St. Thomas are tied closely into the Advent Psalm readings, as the Psalm for St. Thomas is also repeated the Sunday before Christmas, and refers to the journey of St. Joseph and the Holy Virgin Mary, or Psalm 6 may be used on that Sunday, but the Psalm for St. Thomas is also appropriate. While the Byzantines claim St. Thomas was Martyred in October, the December celebration of the Apostle's Feast is a very ancient date.)
 

Epistle: Philippians 4: 10 - end - (Specific reading for St. Thomas.) (The missionary work of St. Thomas.)
 

Psalm for St. Thomas: Gradual Canticle, 127.

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in His ways. For thou shalt eat the labors of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, round about thy table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. And mayest thou see thy children's children: peace upon Israel.
 

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-20; John 21:15-19 or Luke 6:6-19 (General Lection for Apostles - see St. Andrew above.)
 
 
 

24 Dec / 6 Jan

The attendance of Lucianus with my Cua, a fair couple,

MacLonáin who chances (to come) to us on the night before Christmas.
 

Of Lucianus, i.e. a Martyr.

With My Cua, i.e. of Tech Mochua in Leix of Leinster and of Daire Mis in Sliab Fuait. Mochua son of Lonan, son of Senach, son of Oengus, son of Lugna, son of Breg-dolb, son of Art cuirp. (Also, St. Eugenia may be commemorated, see also March 16^th).

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Lucianus Martyr; Zefanus; Geurgius; Metrobius; Paulus; Petrus; Laurentius; Genotus; Ciricius; Celsius; Teothinus; Timistus and forty four others and virgin Saints of the same number forty two and other multitudes of Martyrs of Christ. Also: Mochua i.e. Cronan son of Lonain; Fiadaili Abbot of Cell Achid or this Mochemnioc (also at Dec. 23^rd); Senan Bishop. Also: Cummeni Saint of Cluain Mar and the rest of the Saints whose names God has called and who He hath known and ordained to conform to the image of His Son in Eternal Life in Christ Jesus. Amen. [sanctorum ceterorum quorum Deus nomina nominauit et quos presciuit et predistinauit conformes fieri imaginis Filii sui in vitam eternam in Christo Iesu. Amen.]

Christmas Eve (Dec 24/Jan 6)(If the Sixth Sunday of Advent falls on this day, these may be combined.)

See poem about St. Eugenia on March 16^th from The Martyrology of Tallaght, and notes on her life on that date from Oengus. Byzantine and Roman commemoration of her today: Virgin Martyr St. Eugenia was born in 280, daughter of the Duke of Alexandria. Her name means "well-born." She was tonsured a monk, living in a monastery for men, although she lived apart from the men in the monastery. She later converted her father, who then became the Patriarch of Alexandria (also martyred). Her servants were the martyrs Protas and Hyacinthos. She was sent to Rome and was martyred in Rome on December 25th, after bringing many people to Christianity. She is honored on December 24th, according to the tradition of all the ancient Patriarchates of the Church: Eastern and Western. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Eugenia is one of the strongest teachers of the Christian faith. (See September 11^th: the Passion of Ss. Protus and Hyacinthus, two eunuchs. Celtic date for St. Eugenia: March 16^th, "dear save to the devil." The Celtic people know that she had been Martyred on Christmas, but they celebrated in March. She may be commemorated on both March 16^th and December 24^th, because she is an important Saint.)

On this day, the penitential Psalm 6 is read, to remind us of the difficulties of St. Joseph and the Holy Virgin Mary in traveling and finding a place to stay when there was no room at the inn. Although the Protevangelium of James states that the Holy Virgin Mary was still a virgin after the birth of her Son, still she had to suffer the pain of travel on the back of a donkey to Bethlehem. (On this day there is an explanation of fervent prayer and penitence.)
 

Epistle: Philippians 4:4-7 (The Lord is near. "Let our modesty be known to all men." "And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.")
 

Gradual and Tract: Psalm 6, fervent prayer in preparation for Christmas.

O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy indignation, nor chastise me in Thy wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but Thou, O Lord, how long? Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for Thy mercy's sake. For there is no one in death, that is mindful of Thee: and who shall confess to Thee in hell?

I have labored in my groanings, every night I will wash my bed: I will water my couch with my tears. My eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old amongst all my enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord that heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and be very much troubled: Let them be turned back and be ashamed very speedily.
 

Gospel: Luke 12:35-37 (Blessed are the servants who are watching. "Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands." Preparing for the coming of the Lord.)

(From the Ad Pacem in the Bobbio Missal, St. Eugenia is praised. St. Eugenia's martyrdom was celebrated on December 24th as well as preparing for Christmas.)
 
 
 

25 Dec /7 Jan

At great marvellous Christmas, Christ from white-pure Mary was born

with the ruin of darkness, (Christ) the luminous King of Adam's race.
 

On Christmas day, a great marvel, i.e. on the great Natalicia Christ's Nativity took place.

Today begins the calendar in The Martyrology of Tallaght: Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ; Junius; Pastor; Bassileus; Achilles; Appromianus; Victoriana; Euticita; Helias; Eufegia; Dorozolus; Simfronianus; Saturninus (note); Teuinidus; Ignatius; Ciriacius; Zachius; Ianuaria; Dativus; Eugenia virgin; Anastasia; Anastasius; Julianus; Marcian. Diucaill son of Nemain; Bishop Iarlath; Bishop Maelan; Aedan the Great.

(Margin notes for this page include a poem with many words obliterated. It points to the fact that the ancient Irish king Conchobor of Ulster reigned at the same time as both Caesar Augustus and also Tiberius Caesar. Legend says that when Conchobor was told by a seer that the Son of the God of the universe had been killed by Rome, Conchobor immediately said that he would avenge this terrible deed and destroy Rome, but he was so outraged that he had a hemorrhage, bursting a wound on his forehead, and this prevented the war. Descriptions show that both the kinds of weapons and fighting techniques of the Irish at the time of Conchobor could conquer greatly superior numbers. The oral tradition shows too many people killed this way. Conchobor and the Irish in his time did not yet become Christian; the Irish would not be heavily missionized for a few centuries. In a way, the Irish did manage to conquer Rome, because later on they sent missionaries into all the territories that Rome had held, and were instrumental in bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ back to these lands.) The poem fragment that remains does not say enough about the birth of Christ, but it is next to December 25^th, 26^th, and 27^th. The Irish pointed out that they could place the Birth of Christ in the time of the Irish historical records. In the same way, the recorded lineage of many of the Irish Saints was very old. This poem also points out that pagans who converted to Christianity could remember that it is a great blessing that Christ is born at a time of year when they remember the returning of the light, because then they can remember that God is the true Light of the world, and overcomes all our former allegiances.
 

In the time of Caesar Augustus...

... over a third of the world, [Rome supposedly ruled...]

and Conchobor, without treachery,

ruling over a province of Ireland.
 

In the seventeenth year

of the reign of Conchobor of the blows

... [Conchobor began his reign in 30 B.C., so this verse

... might be speaking about the birth of the Virgin Mary.]
 

Twelve years in sovranty [Caesar Augustus died A.D. 14.]

were Caesar and the Lord,

(at the same time) over the lasting world,

according to knowledge, to be told.
 

Tiberius Caesar, hard his valour,

reigned after his father, [i.e., stepfather]

(so that) to him and Christ, without sorrow,

... contemporary, it was...
 

Two years was Tiberius of the princes

in co-sovranty with Conchobor.

after Christ, 'twas no ill,

in one festival...

Christmas Vigil: (Begins after dark, Dec 25/Jan 7, the day beginning at Vespers - See Hours.)

The Prophecy should end, and Liturgy begin around Midnight. See the special Missal for Christmas, which combines all of the Prophecies, Lections, and Propers for this day. The lections are given here for the interest of comparison, but the special Propers must not be omitted. All the Propers have been translated by the Celtic Orthodox Christian Church.
 

Old Testament Prophecies:

I. Isaiah 62:10-63

II. Isaiah 6:1-13

III. Isaiah 7:1-8:22

IV. Isaiah 11:1-12:6

V. Isaiah 25:1-26:21

VI. Isaiah 35:1-10

VII. Isaiah 40:1-42:12

VIII. Isaiah 44:23-46:13

IX. "Augustine's" Sermon (A fragment points to the subject, in the Propers.)

X. Isaiah 54:1-56:7

XI Malachi 3:1-4:6

XII. The Gospel of St. John I:1-15
 

Liturgy (also the Sunday after Christmas):

Old Testament (within the Liturgy) Isaiah 9:1-7

Praises from Daniel (Song of the Three Youths)

Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-12
 

Psalm of Praise: Psalm 148 for Christmas:

Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye Him in the high places. Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Praise ye Him, O sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars and light. Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens praise the Name of the Lord. For He spoke, and they were made: He commanded, and they were created. He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: He hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth: ye dragons, and all ye deeps: Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds, which fulfill His word: Mountains and all hills: fruitful trees and all cedars: Beasts and all cattle: serpents and feathered fowls: Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth: Young men and maidens. Let the old with the younger praise the Name of the Lord: for His Name alone is exalted.

The praise of Him is above heaven and earth: and He hath exalted the horn of His people. A hymn to all His Saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to Him. Alleluia.
 

Psalm of Praise 150 entire:
 

Praise ye the Lord in His holy places: praise ye Him in the firmament of His power. Praise ye Him for His mighty acts: praise ye Him according to the multitude of His greatness. Praise Him with sound of trumpet: praise Him with psaltery and harp. Praise Him with timbrel and choir: praise Him with strings and organs. Praise Him on high sounding cymbals: praise Him on cymbals of joy: let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia.
 

Gospel within the Liturgy: St. Luke 2:1-20

Final Gospel: St. Matthew (entire section on Christmas)
 

(The Sunday after Christmas, if it is before Circumcision: This is not mentioned in the Celtic Lectionary, but it would take the readings of the day Mass for Christmas except for the Psalm of the Gradual and Alleluia, as the rest of the week. If it falls on St. Stephen's day, or St. John and James, or Holy Innocents, then it takes the Propers for that day. The Psalm(s) for the day should be used, and the major and minor Feasts of Christmas week and Circumcision should be told to a congregation. Only this week and during Great Lent is there a Psalm assigned for each day's Gradual. On the three most major Feasts of the Church, Psalm 150 is read with the Psalm of the Feast: on Pascha Psalm 65 Douay numbering, on Pentecost Psalm 149, and on Christmas Psalm 148. The first Sunday after Pentecost may be Psalm 147, but it is also another commemoration of all the Saints [November 1^st], and should have Altus Prosator entire sung as well.)
 
 
 

26 Dec /8 Jan

Let us pray him to bless us, my Commóc with splendor:

a fair sun that warms thousands, Stephen's luminous name.
 

My Commoc, i.e. Comman son of Faelchu, from Foscommon in Mag Ai; and Iarlathe of Tuaim da gualann on the same day with Comman.

Of Stephen, i.e. the stoning of the Protomartyr Stephen in Jerusalem in the year of Christ's Ascension.

Saint Stephen (Dec 26/ Jan 8)

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Zephan the Protomartyr; Bishop Dionisius; Bishop Nichandrus; Julian; Martin; Dorozolus; Elia. Commani of the Ros; Molibae of Enach Elti; Cada of Druim Tuirc; Bishop Mochommoc; Mogenoc i.e. in Cell Duma Gluind; Abbot Lasriani; the wanderer (perigrini) Eugeni. (See the margin notes for MT on December 25^th.)

TSI lists St. Tathai or Dathai today from the early sixth century. Tathai and eight companions left Ireland in a little coracle without sail or oars, and landed at Severn at a landing in Gwent (in modern Glamorganshire). Caradoc was king of the two Gwents and invited the Saint and his monks to settle permanently, and Tathai founded the church called Llandathan, "Tathai's church." Tathai was son of the Irish prince Tuathal, educated and ordained in Ireland. In his school all branches of science were taught. Ynyr the son of Caradoc built the monastery and school of Caerwent in Monmouthshire, and then appointed Tathai as first Abbot. One of Tathai's pupils was Cadoc, whose parents trusted the education more than all the other teachers in Britain. Cadoc studied twelve years with Tathai and three more in Ireland, forming a friendship with Finian of Clonard (December 12^th), and Finian was said to visit Cadoc at the school he founded at Llancarvan. Tathai retired at Llandathan and died there, and was buried in the church named for him.

See December 29/Jan 11 and Dec 30/Jan 12 for two other events: the wren, and giving to the poor, now associated with St. Stephen's day. These may be combined at St. Stephen's day if people will attend today and all three of the Psalms read, but if people are not expected today, then tell them in detail about all the events of this week at Christmas or the Sunday after Christmas.

The Holy First-Martyr Saint Stephen, a Levite, is venerated the day after Christmas in the entire Church. His Martyrdom is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Note that the Epistle reading for today emphasizes not the Martyrdom, but the joyful calling of St. Stephen and the other Deacons by our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to St. Gregory of Tours, in his History of the Franks, a relic of St. Stephen was in the church in the town of Bourges. Also, St. Gregory records in the Glory of the Martyrs, a relic of St. Stephen was in Spain in the catholic Nicene church on the plain of Osset in the province of Lusitania, which had a miraculous fountain in the shape of a Cross that was filled on the day of our Lord's Resurrection from no source but heaven. Doors were sealed by the Bishop around this fountain for three days before it would be miraculously filled: no pipes or other means of carrying water led to the place. After the pool had been sanctified by exorcism and oil, this fountain supplied water continuously for those taking vessels of holy water for themselves and their fields. After that, children and others were Baptized in the water, and it would begin to recede, finally draining without a known drain. The Arian Spanish in the region were perplexed how the Orthodox Catholic Church, which they called "Roman" to distinguish it from their own misguided form of Christianity, could have this happen, and some impious persons tried to do such things as stabling horses there, and later the king digging deeply around the building to look for the source of water. The man who stabled his horses there fell into a fever and also lost his mind, biting himself even though his servants tried to restrain him, until he died. The king who tried digging around the building never found the reason the water came, and he lived only shortly after that. Another man who tried to steal just before receiving the water in his vessel found his vessel empty. When he returned the stolen item and went back for more water, his vessel was filled. St. Gregory said, "The people there are heretics: they witness these great deeds but are not motivated to believe. They never cease skillfully to reject the Sacraments of the divine teachings with the chattering of wrong interpretations. But the power of the Lord destroys and disorders His opposition." Often this occurs today: people witness miracles, but do not convert their minds to the understanding of the truth. Blessed Theophylact says about poor Lazarus in the commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter 16, "There are those even now who say the same, 'Who knows what is in hades? Who has ever come from there to tell us?' But let them hear Abraham who says that if we do not give heed to the Scriptures, we will not believe even those who come from hades... If raising the dead would truly help us to believe, the Lord would do this often. But there is no help so great as the close study of Scriptures." Our Lord Jesus Christ is risen, and yet this did not convert the whole world, because the Apostles were also Martyred.
 

Matins: Jer. 17:7-18 ("Blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord, and the Lord shall be his confidence... Let them be confounded that persecute me, and let not me be confounded: let them be afraid, and let not me be afraid..." as the Psalms of Advent, telling others that the Lord is come. Also this analogy: "As the partridge hath hatched eggs which she did not lay: so is he that hath gathered riches, and not by right: in the midst of his days he shall leave them, and in his latter end he shall be a fool." The partridge in the pear tree was a way of covering up the catechism of Christ on the Cross in the time of Elizabethan persecutions, but this analogy was known to the Irish before that. At first, the partridge had the opposite meaning, but by the time the Christmas Carol was written, the partridge in the pear tree symbolized Christ on the Cross, and the song was a way to cover up catechism.)
 

Liturgy: Epistle: Acts 6:1-8 (Not the martyrdom of St. Stephen, but the calling of the Deacons in the Church to minister to the widows. "...And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people." This emphasizes the work of St. Stephen, which was in love, faith, and forgiveness.)
 

Psalm 7, entire, as a Sequence: (Sinners who are unjust fall into the hole they have made.)

O Lord my God, in Thee have I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save. O Lord my God, if I have done this thing, if there be iniquity in my hands: If I have rendered to them that repaid me evils, let me deservedly fall empty before my enemies. Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life on the earth, and bring down my glory to the dust. Rise up, O Lord, in Thy anger: and be Thou exalted in the borders of my enemies. And arise, O Lord my God, in the precept which Thou hast commanded: and a congregation of people shall surround Thee. And for their sakes, return Thou on high.

The Lord judgeth the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, and according to my innocence in me. The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to nought, and Thou shalt direct the just: the searcher of hearts and reins is God. Just is my help from the Lord: Who saveth the upright of heart. God is a just judge, strong and patient: is He angry every day? Except you will be converted, He will brandish His sword: He hath bent His bow, and made it ready. And in it He hath prepared the instruments of death: He hath made ready His arrows for them that burn.

Behold, he hath been in labor with injustice: he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth iniquity. He hath opened a pit and dug it: and he is fallen into the hole he made. His sorrow shall be turned on his own head: and his iniquity shall come down upon his crown.

I will give glory to the Lord according to His justice: and will sing to the Name of the Lord the most high.
 

Gospel: St. Matthew 17:23-18:11 (Parable of the king who forgave his servant, but the servant did not forgive the debt of those who owed him, so the king tortured the servant till all was paid. "So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts." Today is the day of forgiveness, because the Church had to forgive St. Paul who participated in the death of St. Stephen, because St. Paul did so much to spread the Gospel. Also, about putting away a wife: and Jesus says not to do that if already married. This is also a day when families should be re-united.)
 
 
 

27 Dec /9 Jan

The sound sleep of John in Ephesus - splendid bordgal (?) -

with the ordination of James His brother, who is highest.

["His" refers to our Lord Jesus Chirst: St. James of the Knees.]
 

A splendid bordgal, i.e. John's valor (gal) was in Ephesus a splendid valor, i.e. a valor that went out over the border (bord), as was said Ephesus was full of his works, that is the works of valor of John in Ephesus.

His brother is highest, i.e. the greater is the Solemity of the Ordination of James on the same date in a different year.

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Johannis the Apostle and Evangelist Assumption and Ordination of James the Apostle. Colman son of Dairchill; Tipraiti of Mag Ratha; Mofhiacha m.h. (here and passim for 'meic hui,' great-grandson or kin of) Cormaic.

[Note: the "His brother" should be read "brother of the Lord," i.e. St. James of the Knees. Although he is called an "Apostle," he is one of the seventy, not of the Twelve. He is called highest because he is Ordained the first Bishop of Jerusalem today, although both Oengus and the Martyrology of Tallaght also commemorate his "ordination at Jerusalem" on March 15^th. The Twelve Apostles referred the See of Jerusalem and the Saints gathered there when deciding matters such as circumcision and foods (Acts chapter 11). See also the Protevangelium of St. James. The history of St. James the Brother of the Lord according to Orthodox Church tradition is below.

(Note: the Bobbio designation and also Psalm for the Apostle James the son of Alpheus also fits St. James who is the Brother of the Lord, who is not one of the Twelve, and therefore does not have his own Psalm designation, except for Psalm 9 assigned to December 27^th for his installation at Jerusalem. Sometimes Oengus and the Martyrology of Tallaght confuse St. James the Brother of the Lord with either St. James son of Alphaeus, or St. James son of Cleophas, but the poem about the Saints named James shows that they worked and died in different places. The Bobbio designation for the Apostle James, son of Alpheus, "he said: 'I believe in the Holy Spirit.'" Psalm for St. James the Less, son of Alpheus: Gradual Canticle, 130: Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters: nor in wonderful things above me. If I was not humbly minded; but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord: from henceforth now and for ever.)
 

Some of the History of James, the Brother of the Lord

James, the Brother of the Lord, "James of the Knees" or "James the Righteous," an Apostle but not one of the Twelve, was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He was the fourth son of Joseph. Mary's only child is Jesus through the Holy Spirit, but Joseph and his first wife Salome had seven children: their sons James, Jude the Apostle not the Iscariot, Joses, Symeon, and daughters Esther, Martha, and Salome. (Salome was a common name meaning peace, and had nothing to do with the family of Herod.) James' mother Salome died, so Joseph was betrothed to Mary so that his children could be cared for. James' sister Salome married Zebedee, and their children were John the Apostle and Evangelist, and James the Apostle, the 'sons of Zebedee.'

James was generous and believed in Jesus from childhood. It is said that he knelt by the manger after Christ was born. James was the only son of Joseph who agreed to share his inheritance with Mary's son Jesus. Although Jude later ardently believed in Jesus Christ, he regretted his earlier unbelief and selfishness, and would only allow himself to be called "brother of James" out of humility. James' birth name Joblian means righteous in Hebrew, and from childhood he was a master of his senses and ready to help others. His eyes looked for good; his ears listened to readings of Scripture; his mouth delighted in the law. He never in his life ate any meat, fish, or crustacean, and never drank wine, only water. He was also able to lead others to patience and perfection in faith and works. He is the writer of the general Epistle of St. James in the Bible.

Today's celebration (December 27^th), is for the installation of St. James to the Episcopate, as the first Patriarch of Jerusalem. Although not one of the "Twelve" Apostles, he led all the Apostles and elders in questions and Councils of the Church. James led the holy Apostles in the first Council of Jerusalem concerning the question of circumcision (Acts 15:19-20), whether the gentiles should be required to keep this point of the law. Even so, he required of St. Paul that male children of Jews who believed in Christ be circumcised, and seemed unsure about allowing Gentiles to enter the temple (Acts 21:17-30: see the history of St. Paul January 25^th, also concerning the high priest at that time). These issues were decided in the Apostolic Constitution and the Apostolic Canons.

About the ruling of St. James concerning St. Paul and the Gentiles when St. Paul returned the last time to Jerusalem: Acts 21:16-25 Going with St. Paul to Jerusalem were probably St. Luke (because "we" is used often), some disciples of Caesarea, and Mnason who was from Cyprus "with whom we could lodge." [Also the disciple Trophimus the Ephesian, who is mentioned later.] The brethren were glad to see them, and on the day following, they went in to see St. James the Righteous, Bishop of Jerusalem, with "all the ancients." St. Paul told them about the ministry to the Gentiles, and what "things God had wrought." Those from Jerusalem also told St. Paul about the thousands of Jews who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, "and they are all zealous for the law." They told St. Paul of the accusation that he was teaching the Jews who believed in Christ to leave the law of Moses and not circumcise their children or keep the customs. (The council under St. James had only authorized those who had come to believe in Jesus who were Gentiles to refrain from idols, blood, things strangled, and fornication, but those who were already Jewish were expected to keep all the laws of Moses.) St. James told St. Paul that the multitude of believers must come together. Four men had taken a vow (meaning that they had let their hair grow as Nazarites, "men apart," Numbers 6:2-21, and according to Samson, Judges 13:4-5; 16:17, and referred to in St. Matthew 2:23 about the Lord Jesus Christ, a play on the place name "Nazareth."). St. James told St. Paul to take them, and "sanctify thyself with them: and bestow on them, that they may shave their heads: and all will know that the things which they have heard of thee, are false, but that thou thyself also walkest keeping the law." (See Numbers 6:2-21; they would shave their heads when their vow was done.)

Acts 21:26-36 St Paul did purify himself with the men who took the vow, and they did fulfill the seven days of purification, but near the end of that time, some Jews of Asia came into the temple and spread lies about St. Paul. They said that Gentiles had violated the temple, even though St. Paul had not brought the disciple Trophimus the Ephesian with him into the temple. The whole city took St. Paul out of the temple and shut the doors, and were about to kill him. The tribune took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. When the people saw the tribune and soldiers, they stopped beating St. Paul. The tribune had St. Paul bound with two chains, and commanded them to tell him what he had done, but nobody could agree on the charges, so the tribune had St. Paul carried into the castle and up the stairs, because the people were so violent, saying, "Away with him." (Note: This was completely unacceptable. It was not possible that the same God Who in the Old Testament gave the Ark of the Covenant, and was worshiped in tents; should not allow those to be in His presence in the temple of the Lord, who had been Baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and touched the Lord God in the Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and had not died! There could not be two kinds of Christians: one kind who was merely Baptized and received the most High God in the most Holy Sacraments, including the true Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion, and those others who were also Baptized, but who also could enter the temple, because by birth and lesser religious rites they were somehow "better." Although the rest of the Book of Acts records the greatest struggles of St. Paul, it also points to his overcoming of the final points of theology that would allow the Gentiles to be full members of the Faith. Thus, the strict Jews who kept the Law by letter, not in the Spirit of God, were very angry. The other Apostles came to agree with St. Paul that the Gentiles should be equal members in the Church, as long as they were Baptized, Confirmed in the Holy Spirit, and received the Holy Offering of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Offering of the Divine Liturgy. The Apostolic Canons have more details about the Faith, the seven Sacraments, and the requirements for membership in the Church.)

To this day there is often a problem among the ancient Patriarchates concerning those who are newly brought into the Orthodox Faith: are the hereditary members better than the "Gentiles," the new converts? Not if the new converts say the prayer of the Publican, "Lord have mercy," and of the good thief, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom." St. James the Righteous, himself the son of St. Joseph who was heir to king David and could trace his lineage even to Adam, was himself the most humble of the disciples of Christ, spending his life on his knees. New members of the Church are as Baptized, Confirmed, and have received the same Holy Communion as the hereditary members, or members of ancient Orthodox ethnic groups. All of us are sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, the "offspring" of God, according to St. Paul, Acts 17:28, the Psalm 81, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in St. John 10:34-36. Also, those whose parents and grandparents are members of the Church must be Baptized and Confirmed to enter the Church as members. The main duty of the clergy is to teach the fullness of the Faith to all members. Sponsors or "Godparents" who are members of the Orthodox Church are supposed to help teach the Faith to the new members. The Orthodox Church has a duty to missionize, if it calls itself "Apostolic," because the word "Apostle" means "sent out." The Celtic Rite, in the Sacrament of Baptism, states this in the Mandatum, the "Command." Likewise, the angels of infants, no matter who they are or whether or not they have been Baptized yet, always behold the Face of the Father in heaven. (St. Matthew 18:10) This is because all people are made in the Image of God. (Genesis 1:27, St. Matthew 19:4). However, all must be changed into the heavenly Image, (I Corinthians 15:45-58). The little customs of men are not as important, as the Lord reminds us concerning the washing of hands, St. Matthew 15: 10-28.

All the Apostles looked up to St. James the Righteous, the Brother of the Lord, even though he was not one of the Twelve. Even though only descendants of Levi were allowed to enter the inner sanctuary of the temple to offer prayers, James was allowed to, and often went alone there, and kneeling so much in prayer for the people that his knees became 'like a camel's.' Everyone in the city of Jerusalem believed that James was righteous. Greek sources say that even the pagans believed St. James was righteous.

The high priest Annas incited some to ask James to renounce his faith in Christ. Perhaps they had heard that the brothers of the Lord Jesus Christ once had not believed in Jesus, but also believing that a righteous man would only believe that Jesus was a prophet. They asked James, "Tell us, O righteous one, what is meant by the door of Jesus." James said, "This is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, of one essence with the Father." Many believed him, but some did not believe in any kind of resurrection or judgement for their deeds. (Just as today, some deluded people who know nothing of the world's religions think that there is no such thing as sin, even though every religion, even the pagans, say that there are severe consequences for our acts, in fact, showing less forgiveness in their religion than is found in the Christian faith.) Then they asked James to renounce Christ on the feast of Passover at the parapet of the temple.

When the time came, all the tribes gathered in the temple, and James climbed the parapet. The conspirators thought James would renounce Jesus and put an end to the Christian sect, so they asked James what he would say about Jesus that had been crucified by Pilate, who have the people thinking He is Christ and even God. But James replied, "Why do you question me concerning Jesus? He is seated in heaven at the right hand of His Father with the heavenly powers, and He will come again on the clouds of heaven, to judge the world with righteousness." Although many cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" the conspirators rushed up the parapet and threw James to the ground. James did not die from that, so they began to stone him. He knelt and accepted the stones as precious gems, praying "Lord God and Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." A descendant of Rechab son of Rachabim of the priestly caste shouted "Cease this! O wretched ones, what are you doing? The righteous one is praying for us, the unjust, who stone him!" Then one murderer took a fuller's club, used to beat cloth, and hit James on the head, and James gave up the spirit. He was buried in the temple by the sanctuary. According to St. Gregory of Tours, in the Glory of the Martyrs, St. James was buried on the Mount of Olives in a tomb he had previously built for himself and in which he had buried Zacharias and Simeon. St. Gregory of Tours claims these are traditions about St. James, but does not list the source. (Sometimes his sources about distant events are not complete.)

After James, Symeon the son of Cleopas the uncle of James became the second Bishop of Jerusalem. The Jews felt that Annas had overstepped his authority, and some wrote to Tetrarch Herod Agrippa requesting Annas never be allowed to convoke a council without their authorization. Agrippa had established Annas as high priest, but Annas only held the office three months and was replaced by Jeshua ben Dammaeus. Annas also conspired in the stoning death of St. Matthias, who had been elected to be one of the Twelve after Christ's Ascension into heaven before Pentecost (see February 23^rd). Many Jews attributed the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans to the murder of James within the temple.

The "Ordination" of St. James the Righteous the Brother of the Lord also is celebrated, according to the Celtic Rite, on March 15^th. Another date is May 1^st which was a later commemoration originally dedicated to the Apostle Philip alone. St. James the Brother of the Lord was the nephew of Cleophas. The Martyrdom of St. James the son of Cleophas was on March 25^th; and sometimes the Celtic Church confused the two. The Byantines celebrate the date of James the Brother of the Lord on the 23^rd of October and December 26^th, although they confuse St. James the son of Zebedee with St. James the Brother of the Lord on the 23^rd of October according to the "Orologion to Mega." Likewise, the Celtic Gospel reading on December 27^th has a confusion with St. James the son of Zebedee, although the date clearly states that this date is the elevation of St. James the Righteous to the Episcopate.

Marginal notes from The Martyrology of Tallaght from May 1^st about the other Jameses:

Though you be in ignorance

of the wondrous renowned Jameses,

I will reveal them to you, without baseness.

I have studied them with full science.
 

James son of Cleophas and Mary

[Cleophas is the Lord's Brothers' uncle.]

chief of the noble high Apostles,

[of the 70 noble Apostles, not "of the Twelve"]

suffered Martyrdom on the eighth of the calends of April [March 25^th]

'twas not only terrible, it was a fierce deed.
 

On the tenth of the calends of July, Alpheus' son,

[June 22^nd, one of the Twelve Apostles.]

fair James, with grace,

after he had preached in Syria

north in Persia he died.
 

James the distinguished son of Zebedee [One of the Twelve Apostles.]

a chief Apostle of God's people,

suffered Martyrdom on the eighth of the calends of August [July 25^th]

He was a head of counsel of this world.

[Confusion with "James of the Knees."]
 

The Byzantines have dates for the other Jameses according to the "Orologion to Mega": For St. James son of Alphaeus, the 9^th of October. For St. James the son of Zebedee, the 30^th of April.
 

Saint John and James (Dec 27/Jan 9) There is a special Psalm for this day: Psalm 9 in Douay numbering (Psalms 9 and 10 Hebrew numbering). (Psalm 8 and 9 are transposed, Psalm 9 for today and Psalm 8 for tomorrow, because of their subject matter.) Psalm 9 refers to these two great Apostles.
 

Although the Gospel reading is for St. John and his brother, St. James the sons of Zebedee, the actual St. James being commemorated here is St. James, the "brother of the Lord," not one of the Twelve. Today is the anniversary of St. James' installation as Bishop of Jerusalem, the first Bishop of the Church, and the first Apostolic Patriarch (the same event also commemorated March 15^th). In the Book of Acts chapter 11, it mentions that all the Apostles looked to Jerusalem and St. James' leadership in matters concerning circumcision and foods in the earliest church, but all the Apostles and Bishops had an equal voice in such matters, as Orthodox Christians have always practiced in meetings of Bishops. For his leadership role, this St. James is called the "highest." Today is also the Feast day of St. John. Perhaps because of the confusion between the Ss. James, and also the need for Rome and Byzantium (at Constantinople) to claim primacy, later only St. John was commemorated on this day by Rome and Byzantium. However, the commemoration of both Apostles is very important on this day for the understanding of the Orthodoxy of the Church, and the readings show the humility in these great Saints that Christ developed through His love and teaching, even though these Saints were so close to the Lord. St. James of the Knees must be commemorated near Christmas, because he knelt beside the manger when Jesus was born. (Lections and Psalms are specific to this day.)
 

St. John, Apostle, Evangelist, and Theologian, also called "the Divine" - from the Bobbio Apostle's Creed, he said, 'I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, God and our Lord.' Roman dates of celebration: Dec 27^th, before the Latin gate May 6^th, with Cyrus Jan 31^st, with Paul June 26^th. Celtic Rite dates: Dec 27^th, escape of John from boiling oil May 6^th, May 25^th, John and Paul June 26^th. See "Theologian." Psalm for St. John the Evangelist, referring to the boiling in oil and also to his chastisement at sea, see his history May 6^th: Gradual Canticle, 123.

If it had not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say: If it had not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us; perhaps they had swallowed us up alive: When their fury was enkindled against us; perhaps the waters had swallowed us up. Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable. Blessed be the Lord, Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers: The snare is broken; and we are delivered.

St. James, (Also called "James, the brother of the Lord", "James the Just" Bishop of Jerusalem, "James of the Knees" asking forgiveness on behalf of the people.) Roman date of celebration: May 1 with Philip according to Gelasian and Gregorian Sacramentaries traced to the dedication of the Church of the Apostles, originally dedicated to Ss. Philip and James at Rome by Pope John III A.D.563. St. James died in the year 62, also the throne of St. James in Jerusalem. Philip's name on May 1st originally stood alone, according to manuscripts of Hieronymianum. Celtic Rite dates: Dec 27 and the later May 1^st.
 

(The History of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is given May 6^th. Although the emphasis of most churches today is on the feast of St. John, in the Celtic Rite we are reminded that the Holy Apostles, of the Twelve or the Seventy, are great in the kingdom of heaven, but God chooses who will be on His right and left hand. Icons of prayer called "Deesis" show the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist on either side of our Lord Jesus Christ.)
 

Liturgy:

Epistle: Acts 12:1-3 ("And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes." This, again, is about the other St. James, the brother of St. John, not the St. James commemorated today. However, there were many mix-ups in the Lectionary. Therefore, both readings of Epistle and Gospel refer to St. James the brother of St. John, although historically and in Irish tradition the other St. James is being remembered. The Psalms do refer to the correct St. James.)
 

Psalm for St. John the Evangelist, referring to the boiling in oil: Gradual Canticle, 123.

If it had not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say: If it had not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us; perhaps they had swallowed us up alive: When their fury was enkindled against us; perhaps the waters had swallowed us up. Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable. Blessed be the Lord, Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers: The snare is broken; and we are delivered.
 

For the Psalm lections, do Psalm 9 A & B as a Sequence, and also the Gradual Psalms as Alleluias that match the Apostles' Creed designations of the Bobbio Missal. Both sets of Psalms are a part of this celebration.

Psalm 9 A reminds us that St. John wrote the Apocalypse, also called the Book of Revelations. In Psalm A the requirement of the nations to follow Christ is emphasized, as well as Christ in judgment on His Throne. Psalm 9 B reminds us of the troubles that St. James had in Jerusalem with Herod, the persecutions, and the famine, and St. James' protection of the poor. For both Saints: either in the whole world, or within our own city, Jesus Christ must be adored with our whole heart, mind, and strength, and we must love our neighbor as ourselves. The Bobbio designations for these Saints reflect our loyalty to Jesus Christ and also our belief in the Holy Spirit who moves in the Church. (Two readers may do this Psalm.)
 

Psalm 9 A & B Greek, Latin, and Douay numbering (Psalms 9 and 10 in the Hebrew/ KJV numbering)

A: I will give praise to Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will relate all Thy wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing to Thy Name, O Thou most high. When my enemy shall be turned back: they shall be weakened and perish before Thy face. For Thou hast maintained my judgment and my cause: Thou hast sat on the throne, Who judgest justice. Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, and the wicked one hath perished: Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. The swords of the enemy have failed unto the end: and their cities Thou hast destroyed. Their memory hath perished with a noise: but the Lord remaineth for ever.

He hath prepared His throne in judgment: and He shall judge the world in equity, He shall judge the people in justice. And the Lord is become a refuge for the poor: a helper in due time in tribulation. And let them trust in Thee who know Thy Name: for Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee, O Lord. Sing ye to the Lord, who dwelleth in Sion: declare His ways among the Gentiles: For requiring their blood He hath remembered them: He hath not forgotten the cry of the poor.

Have mercy on me, O Lord: see my humiliation which I suffer from my enemies. Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death, that I may declare all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion. I will rejoice in Thy salvation: the Gentiles have stuck fast in the destruction which they prepared. Their foot hath been taken in the very snare which they hid. The Lord shall be known when He executeth judgments: the sinner hath been caught in the works of his own hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God. For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O Lord, let not man be strengthened: let the Gentiles be judged in Thy sight. Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men.
 

B: Why, O Lord, hast Thou retired afar off? Why dost Thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble? Whilst the wicked man is proud, the poor is set on fire: they are caught in the counsels which they devise. For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed. The sinner hath provoked the Lord: according to the multitude of his wrath he will not seek him: God is not before his eyes: his ways are filthy at all times. Thy judgments are removed from his sight: he shall rule over all his enemies. For he hath said in his heart: I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil. His mouth is full of cursing, and of bitterness, and of deceit: under his tongue are labor and sorrow. He sitteth in ambush with the rich in private places, that he may kill the innocent. His eyes are upon the poor man: he lieth in wait in secret like a lion in his den. He lieth in ambush that he may catch the poor man: to catch the poor, whilst he draweth him to him. In his net he will bring him down: he will crouch and fall, when he shall have power over the poor. For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten: he hath turned away His face not to see to the end.

Arise, O Lord God, let Thy hand be exalted: forget not the poor. Wherefore hath the wicked provoked God? For he hath said in his heart: He will not require it: Thou seest it, for Thou considerest labor and sorrow: that Thou mayst deliver them into Thy hands. To Thee is the poor man left: Thou wilt be a helper to the orphan. Break Thou the arm of the sinner and of the malignant: his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found. The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish from His land. The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor: Thy ear hath heard the preparation of their heart. To judge for the fatherless and for the humble, that man may no more presume to magnify himself upon earth.
 

Gospel: St. Matthew 20:20-23 (About St. John and his brother St. James, "...My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father." Still, this teaches that the other St. James and St. John both showed great humility and leadership in the Church. This choice of reading points to their greatness, but also the fact that Christ admonishes them.)
 
 
 
 
 

28 Dec /10 Jan

Famous is their eternal acclamation, beyond every loveable band,

which the little children from Bethlehem sing above to their Father.
 

Famous the lasting acclamation, i.e. famous and lasting is the shout of the children who were killed in Bethlehem by Herod for Christ.

A loveable band, i.e. they are a dead band of innocence.

Who sing above to their Father, i.e. they sing praised to God in Heaven. i.e. those infants who were slain in Bethlehem. How many where there? Some say 2,220 were slain. Others say 2,240 were slain. The Prophet said:

A hundred and forty - bright fulfilment - and two thousands of children were slain

in Bethlehem with victory by the ruler, by Herod.

Thirty plains famous, pleasant, all about Bethlehem;

in every plain were slain a hundred of the pleasant children of the nobles;

a hundred and forty - sad the doom! in Bethlehem alone.

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Children that were killed for Christ; Octovianus; Victor; Gade; Probatus; Rogatus; Januarius; Saturus; Eutitius; Eusebius; Victuria; Donatus. Sneidairle son of Comrisi; Fechini great-grandson of Lugbe; Cilline son of Bregdae (or Dregdae); Maele Coisni.
 

[See September 4^th - the Feast of St. Ultan, who manages to save innocents whose parents had died of a plague.]

Holy Innocents (Dec 28/Jan 10) The Holy Innocents are remembered, as well as the poorest children around the world and those children killed in infancy after they are conceived. As we believe in the Orthodox Church, (St. Matthew 18:10), "their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." There are no little children who are condemned through the fault of their parents, as when Christ healed the blind man blind from birth. See the note at September 1^st, a date of great Martyrdom, about the Herods and the Roman emperors. See the note at the end of September 30^th about the relative importance of some dates on the calendar: a date of great Martyrdom is considered more important than a date some of the Saints that the Irish honored greatly, and the death of even one child, such as Quiricus on June 16^th among many Martyrs on that day, is considered of very great importance. (See also May 24^th, St. Vincent of Lerins, who wrote about the Mother of God and Christ before His birth.)
 

Old Testament: Jer 31:15-20 ("A voice was heard on high of lamentation, of mourning, and weeping, of Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted for them, because they are not..." "Let thy voice cease from weeping, and thy eyes from tears: for there is a reward for thy work, saith the Lord: and they shall return out of the land of the enemy..." The true return out of captivity is the return of Christ back from Egypt, which is celebrated January 11/24, the same day as the Cross of St. Peter. But even greater is the Resurrection, because the angels of all children always behold the Father's face, and they are risen with Him, returned out of the captivity of death.)
 

Epistle: Apoc 6:9-11 (From the Book of Revelation: the innocents given white robes in heaven. They are called "the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held." This not only includes the great prophets and Apostles of Jesus Christ, but also those holy innocents who were slain at His birth.)
 

Gradual: Psalm 8:1-4

O Lord our Lord, how admirable is Thy Name in the whole earth!

For Thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings Thou hast perfected praise, because of Thy enemies: that Thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger. For I will behold Thy heavens, the works of Thy fingers: the moon and the stars which Thou hast founded.

O Lord our Lord, how admirable is Thy Name in the whole earth!
 

Alleluia: Psalm 8:5-10

Alleluia, Alleluia. What is man that Thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man that Thou visitest him? Thou hast made him a little less than the angels: Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor: and hast set him over the works of Thy hands. Thou hast subjected all things under his feet; all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields. The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea that pass through the paths of the sea. O Lord our Lord, how admirable is Thy Name in all the earth! Alleluia!
 

Gospel: St. Matthew 2: 11-23 (The worship of the Child Jesus with St. Mary His mother by the Magi, the warning to flee into Egypt, the slaughter of the innocent children in Bethlehem, and the return from Egypt to Nazareth. Although today not all these things are being commemorated, we are reminded that all these things did occur close together.)
 
 
 
 
 

29 Dec /11 Jan

Swift will be their aid: at every hour may it shelter us!

Victor and a famous host, with Airerán the sage.
 

Victor, i.e. a Martyr and Pope of Rome.

Aireran, i.e. lector of Cluain Iraird (Clonard).

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Victoris; Demetrus; Crescentis; Primianus; Catonis; Librosus; Victorus; Secundus; Saturninus; Honoratus; Victoria; Saturus; Felicis; Bonifatius; Domicius. Also: Mancheni; Saint Enani of Glenn Faidle; Ailerain; Moedoic i.e. of Less Mor; Crummini of Lecan Midi (also under June 28^th); Uinniauii senis; Eulaing.

The Martyrology of Tallaght also has a poem in the margin about the birds, in case there is any doubt of today's subject or Psalm. The references to "calends," "nones," "ides" etc. are dates according to the Roman calendar. Next to these are a translation of modern dates, with other events on Oengus' calendar.
 

The birds of the world, power without ill,

'tis to welcome the sun.

On January's nones, whatever hour it be,

[January 5^th, eve of Epiphany.]

the cry of the host from the dark wood.
 

On the eighth of the calends of noble April

[March 25^th, Annunciation and original Crucifixion.]

the swallows come on their pure tryst

..., what hides them?

on the eighth of the calends of October.

[September 24^th, Conception of St. John the Baptist.]
 

On the Festival of Ruadan, no petty saying,

their fetters are then unloosed.

On the seventeenth of the calends of May

[April 15^th, the Feast of Ruadan.]

the cuckoo calls from the pleasant wood.
 

On the nones of July the birds cease

[July 7^th, the Feast of Mael Ruain of Tallaght.]

to sing the music of holydays

...

for Mael Ruain from Tamlachta.
 

On the festival of Ciaran, son of the wright, [September 9^th.]

wild geese come over the cold sea.

On the festival of Cyprian, a great counsel,

[September 14^th, eve of the Dedication.]

the brown stag bells from the ruddy field.
 

Three score hundred fair years,

[Six hundred years after this poem.]

the world's age, without sorrow,

the ocean will burst over every place

[Vikings and Normans did attack from the sea then.]

at the end of the night, at the call of the birds.
 

Melodious music the birds perform

to the king of the heaven of clouds,

praising the radiant king.

Hark from afar to the choir of the birds.
 

(Dec 29/Jan 11) (Referring to the hunting of the wren practiced at this time of year in ancient times. Later, the hunting or stoning of the wren took place on St. Stephen's day to signify St. Stephen's martyrdom. The Celtic Christians did not equate birds with evil spirits of the air, but sometimes good angels. Victor was the name of the angel that helped St. Patrick, March 17^th, be freed from slavery; he appeared to St. Patrick in the form of a bird. St. Brendan, May 16^th, heard the singing of birds and heard the specific melodies of the Psalms of the day. St. Columbanus says that Psalm 10 refers to the death of the soul bringing on darkness, which should not be encouraged ever, but especially not at the darkest time of the year. In the Psalm, David tries to flee from persecution. Christians did not approve of needless hunting or blood sports, and forbade Christian musicians or poets from performing in Roman arenas during the games where injury and death occurred such as gladiator sports, according to the Apostolic Canons. The hunting of the wren was probably a pre-Christian custom. This non-Christian custom continues today in several places: in the state of Ohio it became legal in 1998 to hunt mourning doves, and this law is in effect in other states of the U.S.A. It is doubtful that hunters know what a mourning dove looks like, but the song-birds who, according to the prophecy of the poem from The Martyrology of Tallaght can sing to make the oceans drown the land, could end the world if hunted to extinction. The insects they eat could overwhelm plants if the birds are hunted to extinction, and the deserts formed from that would melt the ice and create another great flood, not a flood from God who promised never to do that again, but a flood caused by human beings. God would not punish us for harming other creatures, but it is our duty to be good stewards of His creation. Birds can bring a danger of influenza or other diseases, but that is usually true of birds who are raised very close to humans such as chickens or ducks raised for food. As it is, there are many fewer birds today due to pesticides and habitat loss. The Christian response would be to provide bird feeders throughout the winter, and bird houses for insect-eating birds in the summer.)

Psalm 10

In the Lord I put my trust: How then do you say to my soul, Get thee away from hence to the mountain like a sparrow? For, low, the wicked have bent their bow; they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, to shoot in the dark the upright of heart. For they have destroyed the things which Thou hast made: but what has the just man done? The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven: His eyes look on the poor man: His eyelids examine the sons of men. The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: but He that loveth iniquity hateth his own soul.

He shall rain snares upon sinners: fire and brimstone and storms of winds shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is just and hath loved justice: His countenance hath beheld righteousness.
 
 
 

30 Dec /12 Jan

A dungeon's compulsion crucified the great host of Mansuetus:

with virginal Ailbe, we shall attain his feast.
 

Ailbe, i.e. of Imbliuch Ibair.

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Mansetus; Severus; Securus; Appianus; Donatus; Honoratus; Policletus; Florentius; Paulus; Rerenei; Paulus; Cletus; Papianus; Turonus; Zefanus. Also: Conlaei Bishop (Aroscaig) from Ruscach; Ailbi bishop of Imlech.

Note from TSI, Mansuy, also called Mansuetus or Fethgno. She says that he was sent from Rome to be the first Bishop of Toul in Lorraine in France about 338-350. Abbot Adso, educated in Luxeuil, stated that Mansuy's life was derived from a written source, and he came from Ireland. She gives his Feast day as September 24^th, but Oengus places Mansuetus today. Both Oengus and TSI place Ailbe on September 12^th . Ailbe should be commemorated both on September 12^th and today. Mansuetus and Ailbe are very early Irish Saints, before St. Patrick. (See Sedulius Feb. 12^th: it says that the name Ailbe was Germanized in some manuscripts as Hildebert, according to Colgan.)

(Psalm 11- Remembering the poor: this begins the time called by the Celtic people, the "terror time" of winter, when food and shelter is the most scarce for the poor. "Boxing day" when food, clothing, and blankets are given to the poor is celebrated on St. Stephen's day now, as in the Carol, "Good King Wenceslaus". It is especially necessary to remember the poor and homeless at this time, because when our Lord was born there was no room at the inn. Involving churches and families in alms-giving is one way to remind us that giving, not receiving, is the spirit of Christmas.)

Psalm 11:

Save me, O Lord, for there is now no Saint: truths are decayed from among the children of men. They have spoken vain things every one to his neighbor: with deceitful lips and with a double heart have they spoken. May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things. Who have said: We will magnify our tongue; our lips are our own. Who is Lord over us?

By reason of the misery of the needy and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord. I will set him in safety: I will deal confidently in his regard. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried by the fire, purged from the earth, refined seven times. Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve us: and keep us from this generation for ever. The wicked walk round about: according to Thy highness, Thou hast multiplied the children of men.
 
 
 

31 Dec / 13 Jan

Lochán and Endae. Silvester, noble desire!

from their feast - no very feeble leap - let us strive to step to the calends (of January).
 

Lochan and Enda, in Cell na manach in Hui Dunchada are those two, and in Cell maic Cathail in Hui Bairrchi, i.e. in Belach Gabrain.

Silvester, i.e. a Pope of Rome and Confessor.

"May every Saint who has been, is, and will be till doom - victorious division -

in Christ's pious company, may they be helping me!

May they be helping me in heaven and on earth,

and come in their bands to work along with my soul.

O dear little Jesus, may it thus be fulfilled!

Every Saint, every holy virgin, every Martyr, whom I have recounted, every high Apostle,

their prayer for me to God whom I fear, may it protect me from every fierce danger!" (Aengus' ending.)

From The Martyrology of Tallaght: Donatus; Celestinus; Saturninus; Silvestrus Pope; Paulina; Donata; Rusticana; Nominanda; Serotina; Saturnina; Hilaria; Datus (?); Priscilla; Rogata; Bononus Aggagus; Paulus; Ermetis; Eintianus; Retiaria; Pontianus; Attalus; Fabianus; cornolius; Sixtus; Floridus; Cintianus; Menerninus; Simforianus; Ammonus; Exoperatus; Euelpistus; Fortunatus; Sequentis; Opion; Kalendionis; Saturninus; Agnetis; Sextus. Also: Columba virgin 'seven Bishops around her in Domnach Mor Liphi;' Lochani; Endei of Cell Manach; Lugnei Deacon; Finnio of Arann.
 

Propers and Lections from Christmas, with today's Psalm:

(Dec 31/Jan 13) Psalm 12 (Referring to the end of the Roman year at the time of Christ: the end of December rather than the end of March, and is an appropriate Psalm for New Year's Eve, almost an "old acquaintance be forgot.")
 

How long, O Lord, wilt Thou forget me unto the end? How long dost Thou turn away Thy face from me? How long shall I take counsels in my soul, sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God.

Enlighten my eyes that I never sleep in death: lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. They that trouble me will rejoice when I am moved: but I have trusted in Thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, Who giveth me good things: yea, I will sing to the Name of the Lord the most high.
 
 
 

Some references that are listed in this document:

The translator of Oengus, Whitley Stokes, lists some references for both Oengus and the Glossator. Notes from Whitley Stokes are noted as translator's notes.

The Martyrology of Tallaght is abbreviated: MT.

Mary Ryan D'Arcy in The Saints of Ireland is abbreviated: TSI. This book was printed in 1974 by the Irish American Cultural Institute, ISBN 0-85342-733-X. The address for the Irish American Cultural Institute listed in the book is: 683 Osceola Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105 (U.S.A.). Note that TSI usually uses a more modern spelling of Saint names, place names, etc., and this makes it difficult to cross-reference this book with Oengus and the Martyrology of Tallaght. Also, a few dates of celebration of Saints are different than Oengus and the Martyrology of Tallaght, and since TSI may be using a modern date, or a moved date, the older dates from Oengus or MT should be used. TSI usually uses good sources for its information.

--Deaconess Elizabeth, Cele De

          Dec 2 First Sunday in Advent [P]
          Nov 21/Dec 4 Entry into theTemple of the Birthgiver of God [W]

          Dec 9 Second Sunday in Advent [P]
          Nov 30/Dec 13 -  Apostle Andrew [W]

          Dec 16 Third Sunday in Advent [P]
          Dec 6/19 Nicholas of Myra [W]

          Dec 23 Fourth Sunday inAdvent [P]

          Dec 30 Fifth Sunday in Advent [P]

                                           2002

          Dec 21/Jan 3 Martyrdom of the ApostleThomas in India [W]

                           Jan 6 Christmas Eve(Comm.Sixth Sunday in Advent) Last Day of Moses' Fast [P]

Dec25/Jan 7 Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [R]
Dec 26/Jan 8 Saint Stephan [W]
Dec 27/Jan 9 Saint John and the Installationof Saint James of the Knees, Brother of the Lord,  as Patriarch [W]
Dec 28/Jan 10 Holy Innocents [W]

Jan 13 Sunday in the Octave of Christmas [W]
Jan1/14 Feast of the Circumcision[W]
Jan6/19 Feast of the Epiphany[W]

           Jan 7/20 Commemoration of Christ fasting in the desert. Winter Fast Begins. [P]
                         and I Sunday after Epiphany  [P] (Sunday I)

          Jan 11/24  Coming out of Egypt of  Mary's Great Son.[W]
                           The Cross of Peter Martyr and Apostle and companions [P]
          Jan 13/26 Saint Hilary[W]

          Jan 28 II Sunday after Epiphany [P]  (SundayII)
          Jan 17/30 Saint Anthony the Great[W]
          Jan 18/31 Magnification (enthronement of Relics) of Peter at Rome in return for the
                          curing of Constantine
                          Old Commemoration of the Announcement of the Dormition of Mary[W]

          Feb 3  I Sunday afer the Magnification of Peter[P](Sunday III)
          Jan 25/Feb 7 Conversion of Saint Paul[W]