Composite ۲ - امثال ۱۰, ۳, ۸ (نماز شامگاهی)

۱The memory of a just man is praised, and the Lord’s blessing is upon his head. Blessed is one who has found wisdom; a mortal who knows understanding. To import her is better than treasures of gold and silver. She is more valuable than precious stones; nothing of value equals her worth. Justice proceeds from her mouth; she bears law and mercy on her tongue. Therefore, my children, listen to me, for I speak weighty things. And blessed is the one who keeps my ways. For my goings out are the goings out of life, and favour is prepared from the Lord. Therefore I exhort you, and utter my voice to the children of humankind. Because I, Wisdom, have prepared counsel, knowledge and understanding. I have called on them. Counsel and sureness are mine; prudence is mine, strength is mine. I love those who are my friends, while those who seek me will find grace. You innocent, then, understand cunning; you untaught, take it to heart. Listen to me, for I will speak weighty things, and I will open right things from my lips. Because my throat will meditate truth; lying lips are abominable before me. All the words of my mouth are with justice, there is nothing crooked in them nor twisted. They are all straight for those who understand, and right for those who find knowledge. For I teach you what is true, that your hope may be in the Lord and that you may be filled with spirit.

Composite ۴ - Proverbs ۱۰; حکمت سلیمان ۶, ۷, ۸, ۹ (نماز شامگاهی)

۱The mouth of a just man distils wisdom; the lips of men know graces. The mouth of the wise meditates wisdom; justice delivers them from death. When a just man dies hope is not lost; for a just son is born for life, and among his good things he will pluck the fruit of justice. There is light at all times for the just, and they will find grace and glory from the Lord. The tongue of the wise knows what is good, and wisdom will take its rest in their hearts. The Lord loves holy hearts; while all who are blameless in the way are acceptable to him. The wisdom of the Lord will enlighten the face of the understanding; for she anticipates those who desire her before they know it, and is easily contemplated by those who love her. One who rises for her at dawn will not toil, and one who keeps vigil because of her will be without care. For she goes about seeking those who are worthy of her, and shows herself favourably to those on her paths. Wickedness will never prevail against wisdom. Because of this I too became a lover of her beauty and became her friend, and I sought her out from my youth, and I sought to take her as my bride, because the Master of all things loved her, for she is an initiate of the knowledge of God and one who chooses his works. Her toils are virtues; she herself teaches sobriety and prudence; justice and courage, than which things nothing is more useful in human life. If anyone longs for much experience, she knows how to compare things of old and those that are to come. She knows the twists of words and the explanations of riddles. She foresees signs and wonders and the outcomes of seasons and times. And to all she is a good counsellor. Because immortality is in her, and fame in the fellowship of her words. Therefore I appealed to the Lord and besought him and said from my whole heart, ‘God of my Fathers and Lord of mercy, who made all things by your Word, and established humanity by your Wisdom to be sovereign over the creatures that had come into being by you, and to order the world in holiness and justice, give me Wisdom who sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your children, for I am your servant and the son of your maid servant. Send her out from your holy dwelling and from the throne of your glory, that she may be present with me and teach me what is well pleasing before you. And she will guide me with knowledge and guard me with her glory. For all the thoughts of mortals are wretched and their ideas are unstable.’

Composite ۵ - حکمت سلیمان ۴, ۶, ۷, ۲ (نماز شامگاهی)

۱When a just man is praised, peoples will be glad; for immortality is his memory, because it is known both to God and humankind, and his soul is pleasing to the Lord. Therefore, O men, desire wisdom, and long for it and be instructed. For her beginning is love and keeping of laws. Honour Wisdom, that you may reign for ever. I will declare the mysteries of God to you and not hide them from you. Because he is both the guide of Wisdom and the One who sets right the wise. In his hand are all prudence, and knowledge of works. Wisdom, the artificer of all things, taught me, for in her is an understanding spirit, holy, brightness of the eternal light and image of the goodness of God. She makes friends of God and prophets. She is more lovely than the sun, and beyond every order of the stars. If compared to light, she is found before it. She delivered her devotees from toils, and guided them in straight paths. She gave them holy knowledge and protected them from those who lay in ambush for them. She awarded them a mighty contest, that all might know that true religion is more powerful than all, and that wickedness can never prevail against Wisdom, nor will justice in passing sentence overlook evil people. For they said in themselves, not reasoning correctly, ‘Let us overpower the just one, let us not spare his saintliness, nor feel reverence for the aged grey hairs of an elder. Let our strength be law. Let us lie in ambush for the just, for he is a hindrance to us and he is opposed to our works and alleges the sins of our upbringing. He claims to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord. He has become a reproof to our thoughts. He is grievous for us even to look at, for his life is not like others and his paths are quite different. We are reckoned by him to be counterfeit, and he keeps away from our ways as from filth. He calls the end of just people blessed. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen to him at the end. Let us examine him by insult and torture, that we may know his forbearance and make trial of his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for he will have protection from his own words.’ This was how they argued, and they were deceived, for their wickedness had blinded them. And they did not know the mysteries of God, nor did they judge that you alone are God, who have authority over life and death, who save in time of tribulation and deliver from every ill; pitying and merciful, giving grace to your holy ones, and by your right arm resisting the proud.

یوحنا ۱۰.۱-۹ (انجیل نماز صبحگاهی)

۱«آمین، آمین، به شما می‌گویم، آن که از در به آغل گوسفندان داخل نشود، بلکه از راهی دیگر بالا رود، دزد و راهزن است. ۲امّا آن که از در به درون آید، شبان گوسفندان است. ۳دربان، در بر او می‌گشاید و گوسفندان به صدای او گوش فرا می‌دهند؛ او گوسفندان خویش را به نام می‌خواند، و آنها را بیرون می‌برد. ۴چون همۀ گوسفندان خود را بیرون بَرَد، پیشاپیش آنها گام برمی‌دارد و گوسفندان از پی او می‌روند، زیرا صدایش را می‌شناسند. ۵امّا هرگز از پی بیگانه نمی‌روند، بلکه از او می‌گریزند، زیرا صدای بیگانگان را نمی‌شناسند.» ۶عیسی این تمثیل را برایشان بیان کرد، امّا آنان درنیافتند بدیشان چه می‌گوید. ۷پس بار دیگر بدیشان گفت: «آمین، آمین، به شما می‌گویم، من برای گوسفندان، ’در‘ هستم؛ ۸آنان که پیش از من آمدند، همگی دزد و راهزنند، امّا گوسفندان به آنان گوش فرا ندادند. ۹من ’در‘ هستم؛ هر که از راه من داخل شود نجات خواهد یافت، و آزادانه به درون خواهد آمد و بیرون خواهد رفت و چراگاه خواهد یافت.

اول تسالونیکیان ۲.۹-۱۴ (رساله)

۹شما ای برادران، به‌یقین محنت و مشقّت ما را به یاد دارید، که شب و روز کار می‌کردیم تا وقتی انجیلِ خدا را به شما وعظ می‌کنیم، سربار کسی نباشیم. ۱۰شما شاهدید و خدا خود نیز گواه است که با چه پاکی و درستی و بی‌عیبی با شما ایمانداران رفتار کردیم. ۱۱چنانکه می‌دانید، رفتار ما با یک یک شما چون رفتار پدری با فرزندانش بود. ۱۲شما را تشویق کرده، دلداری می‌دادیم و سفارش می‌کردیم که شیوۀ رفتارتان شایستۀ خدایی باشد که شما را به پادشاهی و جلال خود فرا می‌خواند. ۱۳نیز ما خدا را پیوسته شکر می‌گوییم که شما به هنگام پذیرفتن کلام خدا، که از ما شنیدید، آن را نه چون سخنان انسان، بلکه چون کلام خدا پذیرفتید، چنانکه براستی نیز چنین است؛ همان کلام اکنون در میان شما که ایمان دارید، عمل می‌کند. ۱۴زیرا ای برادران، شما از کلیساهای خدا در یهودیه که در مسیحْ عیسایند، سرمشق گرفتید: شما نیز از هموطنان خود، همان آزارها را دیدید که آنان از یهودیان دیدند،

عبرانیان ۷.۲۶-۸.۲ (رساله, قدیس یوحنا زرین‌دهان)

۲۶ما به چنین کاهن اعظمی نیاز داشتیم، کاهنی قدّوس، بی‌عیب، پاک، جدا از گناهکاران، و فراتر از آسمانها. ۲۷برخلاف دیگر کاهنان اعظم، او نیازی ندارد هر روز، نخست برای گناهان خود و سپس برای گناهان قوم، قربانی تقدیم کند. بلکه آنگاه که خود را تقدیم کرد، یک بار برای همیشه برای گناهان ایشان قربانی داد. ۲۸زیرا شریعت، انسانهایی ضعیف را به کهانت اعظم برمی‌گمارد، امّا سوگندی که پس از شریعت آمد، پسر را برگماشت، که جاودانه کامل شده است. ۱جان کلام در آنچه می‌گوییم این است که ما چنین کاهن اعظمی داریم که بر جانب راست تختِ مقام کبریا در آسمان نشسته ۲و خدمتگزار مکان اقدس یعنی آن خیمۀ حقیقی است که خداوند بر پا کرده، نه انسان.

لوقا ۱۳.۱-۹ (انجیل)

۱در همان زمان، شماری از حاضران، از جلیلیانی با عیسی سخن گفتند که پیلاتُس خونشان را با خون قربانیهایشان در‌هم آمیخته بود. ۲عیسی در پاسخ گفت: «آیا چون آن جلیلیان به چنین روز دچار شدند، گمان می‌کنید از بقیۀ اهالی جلیل گناهکارتر بودند؟ ۳به شما می‌گویم که چنین نیست. بلکه اگر توبه نکنید، شما نیز جملگی هلاک خواهید شد. ۴و آیا گمان می‌کنید آن هجده تن که برج سْیلوآم بر آنها افتاد و مردند، از دیگر ساکنان اورشلیم خطاکارتر بودند؟ ۵به شما می‌گویم که چنین نیست. بلکه اگر توبه نکنید، شما نیز جملگی هلاک خواهید شد.» ۶سپس این مَثَل را آورد: «مردی درخت انجیری در تاکستان خود کاشت. چون خواست میوۀ آن را بچیند، چیزی بر آن نیافت. ۷پس به باغبان خود گفت: ”سه سال است برای چیدن میوۀ این درخت می‌آیم امّا چیزی نمی‌یابم. آن را ببُر، تا خاک را هدر ندهد.“ ۸امّا او پاسخ داد: ”سرورم، بگذار یک سال دیگر هم بماند. گِردش را خواهم کند و کودش خواهم داد. ۹اگر سال بعد میوه آورد که هیچ؛ اگر نیاورد آنگاه آن را بِبُر.“‌»

یوحنا ۱۰.۹-۱۶ (انجیل, قدیس یوحنا زرین‌دهان)

۹من ’در‘ هستم؛ هر که از راه من داخل شود نجات خواهد یافت، و آزادانه به درون خواهد آمد و بیرون خواهد رفت و چراگاه خواهد یافت. ۱۰دزد نمی‌آید جز برای دزدیدن و کشتن و نابود کردن؛ من آمده‌ام تا ایشان حیات داشته باشند و از آن به فراوانی بهره‌مند شوند. ۱۱«من شبان نیکو هستم. شبان نیکو جان خود را در راه گوسفندان می‌نهد. ۱۲مزدور، چون شبان نیست و گوسفندان از آنِ او نیستند، هر گاه بیند گرگ می‌آید، گوسفندان را واگذاشته می‌گریزد و گرگ بر آنها حمله می‌برد و آنها را می‌پراکَنَد. ۱۳مزدور می‌گریزد، چرا که مزدوری بیش نیست و به گوسفندان نمی‌اندیشد. ۱۴من شبان نیکو هستم. من گوسفندان خود را می‌شناسم و گوسفندان من مرا می‌شناسند، ۱۵همان‌گونه که پدر مرا می‌شناسد و من پدر را می‌شناسم. من جان خود را در راه گوسفندان می‌نهم. ۱۶گوسفندانی دیگر نیز دارم که از این آغل نیستند. آنها را نیز باید بیاورم و آنها نیز به صدای من گوش فرا خواهند داد. آنگاه یک گله خواهند شد با یک شبان.

پدر ما در میان قدیسان یوحنا زرین‌دهان, اسقف اعظم قسطنطنیه (۴۰۷)

This greatest of Christian orators is commemorated not only today, but as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs (with St Basil the Great and St Gregory the Theologian) on January 30.

He was born in Antioch to pious parents around 345. His mother was widowed at the age of twenty, and devoted herself to rearing her son in piety. He received his literary and oratorical training from the greatest pagan teachers of the day. Though an illustrious and profitable career as a secular orator was open to him, he chose instead to dedicate himself to God. He lived as a monk from 374 to 381, eventually dwelling as a hermit in a cave near Antioch. Here his extreme ascetic practices ruined his health, so that he was forced to return to Antioch, where he was ordained to the priesthood. In Antioch his astonishing gifts of preaching first showed themselves, earning him the epithet Chrysostomos, “Golden-mouth”, by which he became universally known. His gifts became so far-famed that he was chosen to succeed St Nectarius as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken to Constantinople secretly (some say he was actually kidnapped) to avoid the opposition of the Antiochian people to losing their beloved preacher. He was made Patriarch of Constantinople in 398.

Archbishop John shone in his sermons as always, often censuring the corrupt morals and luxurious living of the nobility. For this he incurred the anger of the Empress Eudoxia, who had him exiled to Pontus in 403. The people protested by rioting, and the following night an earthquake shook the city, so frightening the Empress that she had Chrysostom called back. The reconciliation was short-lived. Saint John did not at all moderate the intensity of his sermons, and when the Empress had a silver statue of herself erected outside the Great Church in 403, accompanied by much revelry, the Patriarch spoke out against her, earning her unforgiving anger. In 404 he was exiled to Cucusus, near Armenia. When Pope Innocent of Rome interceded on his behalf, the imperial family only exiled him further, to a town called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was so difficult and his guards so cruel that the frail Archbishop gave up his soul to God before reaching his final place of exile, in 407. His last words were “Glory be to God for all things.”

Saint John Chrysostom is the author of more written works than any other Church Father: his works include 1,447 recorded sermons, 240 epistles, and complete commentaries on Genesis, the Gospels of Matthew and John, the Acts of the Apostles, and all the Epistles of St Paul.

His repose was on September 14, but since that is the date of the Exaltation of the Cross, his commemoration has been transferred to this day.