Eastern Rite - Feasts of 8 August AM 7529

Today is the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, the Afterfeast of the Transfiguration and the Feast of the Holy Confessor Emilian, Bishop of Kyzikos.

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The hymns at Vespers today speak of the sun appearing dim compared to the divine light of the Transfiguration. In His compassion for humanity, Christ took on mortal flesh, yet Peter, James and John saw the radiance of His glory. The incarnate Lord “made Adam’s darkened image to shine again” when He appeared on earth “arrayed in the original beauty of the Image (Genesis 1:26).

Troparion — Tone 7

You were Transfigured on the Mount, O Christ God, / revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. / Let Your everlasting Light shine upon us sinners! / Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of Light, glory to You!

Kontakion — Tone 7

On the Mountain You were Transfigured, O Christ God, / and Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it; / so that when they would behold You crucified, / they would understand that Your suffering was voluntary, / and would proclaim to the world, / that You are truly the Radiance of the Father!

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Saint Emilian, the Bishop of Kyzikos, lived during the reign of the Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820). He and other bishops were summoned to the Emperor's tribunal, and Leo told the bishops to refrain from venerating the Holy Icons. Saint Emilian was the first to tell the Emperor firmly that the question of venerating icons ought to be discussed and decided only within the Church by its spiritual leaders, and not at the imperial court.

Troparion — Tone 3

In confessing the Faith you proclaimed orthodox Catholic doctrine / and were unjustly exiled for rebuking the wicked Emperor. / O righteous and glorious Emilian, / the boast of Kyzikos, / entreat Christ God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 3

As a valiant defender of the Trinity, / the Church for which you suffered glorifies you with hymns, O Emilian, since you suffered for Her. / Therefore we honour your memory. / Deliver your servants from all assaults of the Enemy.