Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, WA

St Joseph (whose name means "one who increases" was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law and hence, as it were, the son of Eli (who was also called Joachim), who was the father of Mary the Virgin (Matt 1:16; Luke 3: 23). St Joseph was of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by trade, and advanced in age when, by God's good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin. In this way, he might ministered to the great mystery of God's dispensation in the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus "brethren and sisters" (Mat 13:5 5-6) are the children of Joseph by his first marriage. From Scripture, we know that St Joseph lived at least until the twelfth year after the birth of Christ (Luke 2:41-52); according to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ.

The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem (whence it is called the City of David), in the year 1085 BC. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the Israelites, while Saul, who had already been deprived of divine grace, was yet living. In the 30th year of his life, when Saul had been slain in battle, His own tribe raised David to the dignity of King first, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for 40 years. Having lived 70 years, he reposed in 1015 BC, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the successor to the throne.

The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man. Yet his repentance was greater than his transgressions, and his love for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man, that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not rend the kingdom in his lifetime "for David your father's sake" (3 Kings 11:12). Of the Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach testifies, "All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective" (Ecclus 49:4). The name David means "beloved".

David's melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the Orthodox Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and Psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself It is so imbued with the spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God. Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, "He bowed the heavens and came down" (Psalm 17:9), His Baptism in the Jordan, "The waters saw You, O God, the waters saw You and were afraid" (Psalm 76:15), His Crucifixion in its details, "They have pierced My hands and My feet... They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots" (Psalm 21:16, 18), "For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink" (Psalm 68:26), His descent into Hades, "For You will not abandon My soul in Hades, nor will You suffer Your Holy One to see corruption" (Psalm 15: 10), the Resurrection, "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" (Psalm 67:1), His Ascension, "God is gone up in jubilation" Psalm 46:5), and so forth.

As for St James, see October 23.



	Sunday after the Saviour's Holy Nativity On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the 26th of December, we make commemoration of Sts Joseph, the betrothed of the Virgin Mary; the Prophet and King David, and James, the Brother of God. If there is no Sunday within this period, we celebrate this commemoration on the 26th. St Joseph (whose name means "one who increases" was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law and hence, as it were, the son of Eli (who was also called Joachim), who was the father of Mary the Virgin (Matt 1:16; Luke 3: 23). St Joseph was of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by trade, and advanced in age when, by God's good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin. In this way, he might ministered to the great mystery of God's dispensation in the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus "brethren and sisters" (Mat 13:5 5-6) are the children of Joseph by his first marriage. From Scripture, we know that St Joseph lived at least until the twelfth year after the birth of Christ (Luke 2:41-52); according to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ. The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem (whence it is called the City of David), in the year 1085 BC. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the Israelites, while Saul, who had already been deprived of divine grace, was yet living. In the 30th year of his life, when Saul had been slain in battle, His own tribe raised David to the dignity of King first, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for 40 years. Having lived 70 years, he reposed in 1015 BC, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the successor to the throne. The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man. Yet his repentance was greater than his transgressions, and his love for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man, that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not rend the kingdom in his lifetime "for David your father's sake" (3 Kings 11:12). Of the Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach testifies, "All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective" (Ecclus 49:4). The name David means "beloved". David's melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the Orthodox Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and Psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself It is so imbued with the spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God. Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, "He bowed the heavens and came down" (Psalm 17:9), His Baptism in the Jordan, "The waters saw You, O God, the waters saw You and were afraid" (Psalm 76:15), His Crucifixion in its details, "They have pierced My hands and My feet... They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots" (Psalm 21:16, 18), "For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink" (Psalm 68:26), His descent into Hades, "For You will not abandon My soul in Hades, nor will You suffer Your Holy One to see corruption" (Psalm 15: 10), the Resurrection, "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" (Psalm 67:1), His Ascension, "God is gone up in jubilation" Psalm 46:5), and so forth. As for St James, see October 23. The Resurrection Dismissal Hymn and Kontakion of the Tone of the Week Dismissal Hymn of the Feast (Second Tone) Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You, the dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory to You. Dismissal Hymn of the Sunday after the Nativity (Third Tone) O Joseph, proclaim the wonders to David, the ancestor of God. You have seen a Virgin great with child; you have given glory with the shepherds; you have worshipped with the Magi; and you have been instructed through an Angel. Entreat Christ God to save our souls. Kontakion of the Feast (Fourth Tone) On this day the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth to God the Word ineffably, Who was before all ages. Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the ages is God. Kontakion of the Sunday after the Nativity (Third Tone) Third Tone. On this day the Virgin Godly David on this day is filled with gladness of spirit; Joseph also joins James in offering glory and praises. They rejoice, for as Christ's kinsmen, they have received crowns; and they praise the One ineffably born upon earth as they cry out with a great voice, O Lord of mercy, save them that honour Your Name.

Sunday after the Saviour's Holy Nativity