The Holy Prophet Malachi; The Holy Martyr Gordius.
Pre-feast of Theophany. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today. The Royal Hours for Theophany are sung in the morning.
Read Titus 2:11-15; 3:4-7 (Ninth Hour)
Paul explains why it is important to celebrate God’s appearance in the world, especially on this Eve of Theophany. We not only celebrate the event of the appearance of the Trinity in the world but also what this appearance means for us. In God’s plan for our salvation, “the grace of God” and “the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man” appeared. God appears to mankind for our sake. He saves us not because we deserve to be saved; it is not owed to us. God saves us because He loves us!
Paul reminds Titus that we await the appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, what we call the “Second Coming.” We need to live in such a way to be prepared for this event — “renounce irreligion and worldly passions” and “to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.” Although out of our love for God we need to prepare ourselves, we should always remember that our salvation is a gift to us by God’s mercy. St. John Chrysostom once said, “Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.” Today, let us celebrate the great gift of God’s love and mercy towards us!