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Daily Orthodox - January 1st, 2025

Today is Wednesday of the 28th Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Circumcision of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ

On the eighth day following His birth, the Divine Child was presented in the Temple and circumcised according to the Law existing in Israel since the time of Abraham. On this occasion He was given the name Jesus, which the Archangel Gabriel had announced to the Most-holy Virgin Mary. The Old Testament circumcision was the prefiguring of the New Testament baptism. The circumcision of our Lord shows that He truly received upon Himself the body of man and not just seemingly, as was later taught of Him by heretics. Our Lord was also circumcised because He wanted to fulfill the entire Law, which He Himself gave through the prophets and forefathers. In fulfilling the written Law, He replaced it with baptism in His Holy Church, as was proclaimed by the Apostle Paul: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature (Galatians 6:15). (In the liturgical calendar of the Church, this Feast of the Lord's Circumcision has neither a forefeast nor an afterfeast.)

  1. Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea

Basil was born during the reign of Emperor Constantine. While still unbaptized, he spent fifteen years in Athens, where he studied philosophy, rhetoric, astronomy and all the other secular sciences of that time. His colleagues there were Gregory the Theologian and Julian, later the apostate emperor. In his mature years he was baptized in the Jordan River among with Ebulios, his former teacher. He was Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia for almost ten years and completed his earthly life fifty years after his birth. He was a great defender of Orthodoxy, a great light of moral purity, a religious zealot, a great theological mind, and a great builder and pillar of the Church of God.

Basil fully deserved the title "Great." In liturgical services he is referred to as the "bee of the Church of Christ, which brings honey to the faithful and with its stinger pricks the heretics." Numerous works of this Father of the Church are preserved; they include theological, apologetical, ascetical and canonical writings, as well as the Holy and Divine Liturgy named after him. This Divine Liturgy is celebrated ten times during the year: on the first of January, his feast day; on the eve of the Nativity of our Lord; on the eve of the Theophany of our Lord; on all Sundays of Great Lent except Palm Sunday; on Great and Holy Thursday; and on Great and Holy Saturday. St. Basil reposed peacefully on January 1, 379, and entered into the Kingdom of Christ.

  1. Martyr Basil of Ancyra (ca. 362)

  2. St. Gregory, bishop of Nazianzus (374), father of St. Gregory the Theologian

  3. St. Emilia (375), mother of Sts. Macrina, Basil the Great, Naucratius, Peter of Sebaste, and Gregory of Nyssa

  4. St. Eugendus, abbot of Condat in the Jura Mountains (510)

  5. St. Fanchea of Killeany (Ireland) (ca. 520)

  6. St. Fulgentius, bishop of Ruspe in North Africa (533)

  7. St. Clarus, abbot of St. Marcellus Monastery in Vienne (Gaul) (ca. 660)

  8. St. Theodosius of Tryglia, abbot

  9. New Martyr Peter of Tripolis in the Peloponnese, at Temisi in Asia Minor (1776)

  10. St. Athanasius, bishop of Mogilev and Potosk (1801)

  11. New Hieromartyrs Platon (Kulbush), bishop of Revel, Estonia, and archpriests Michael Bleive and Nicholas Bezhanitsky (1919), and Alexander (Trapitsyn), archbishop of Samara (1938)

  12. The Holy Martyr Theodotus, who was slain by the sword

  13. The Holy Martyr Telemachus (or Almachius)

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

<8> Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. <9> For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; <10> and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. <11> In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, <12> buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

<20> Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. <21> And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. <40> And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. <41> His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. <42> And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. <43> When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; <44> but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. <45> So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. <46> Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. <47> And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. <48> So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." <49> And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" <50> But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. <51> Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. <52> And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Slavic

<26> For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; <27> who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. <28> For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. <1> Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, <2> a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

<9> Be diligent to come to me quickly; <10> for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. <11> Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. <12> And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. <13> Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. <14> Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. <15> You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. <16> At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. <17> But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. <18> And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! <19> Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. <20> Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. <21> Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. <22> The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

<17> And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, <18> as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. <19> And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. <20> Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. <21> Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. <22> Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. <23> Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

<28> Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" <29> Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. <30> And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. <31> And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." <32> So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. <33> And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." <34> Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared question Him. <35> Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? <36> For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." ' <37> Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?" And the common people heard Him gladly.

Daily Orthodox - January 2nd, 2025

Today is Thursday of the 28th Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. Saint Sylvester, Bishop of Rome

Sylvester was born in Rome, and from his early youth was learned in worldly wisdom and in the Faith of Christ. He always conducted his life according to the Gospel commandments. He benefitted much from the instruction of Timothy the priest, whose death for the Faith Sylvester himself witnessed. Observing the example of the heroic sacrifice of his teacher, he was imbued with just such a spirit throughout his entire life. Becoming Bishop of Rome at age thirty, he reformed certain Christian customs. For example, he dispensed with the fast on Saturdays, which had been practiced by many Christians up to that time, and ordered that fasting be observed only on Holy and Great Saturday, as well as on those Saturdays that fall within the fasting seasons. By his prayers and miracles, Sylvester assisted in bringing Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena to the true Faith and baptism. With the Empress Helena he took part in finding the Honorable Cross. He governed the Church of God for twenty years. His earthly life ended honorably and he entered into the Heavenly Kingdom.

  1. The Venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov

Seraphim was one of the greatest Russian ascetics, clairvoyant elders and wonderworkers. He was born in 1759 and he reposed in 1833. Seraphim was distinguished by great humility. While the whole world praised him, he referred to himself as "the wretched Seraphim."

  1. Saint Theodota

Theodota was the mother of the brothers Cosmas and Damian, the Unmercenaries and Miracle-workers. Theodota lived a God-pleasing life and in such a life she instructed her sons.

  1. The Venerable Ammon

Ammon was a great ascetic of the fifth century. He was the abbot of the Tabennisiot Monastery in Upper Egypt. Three thousand monks lived the ascetic life under his direction. He possessed the grace-filled gifts of miracle-working and clairvoyance. When a monk once asked him for advice, he said to him: "Be like a convict in prison, as he continually asks, 'When will the judge come?' So also should you ask with trembling."

  1. Martyr Sergius of Caesarea in Cappadocia (301)

  2. Hieromartyr Theogenes, bishop of Parium on the Hellespont (ca. 320)

  3. St. Schottin, hermit, of Kilkenny, Ireland (6th c.)

  4. St. Cosmas I, patriarch of Constantinople (1081)

  5. St. Sylvester of the Kiev Caves (12th c.)

  6. Righteous Juliana of Lazarevo (1604)

  7. New Martyr George (Zorzes) the Georgian, at Mytilene (1770)

  8. St. Gerasimus II, patriarch of Alexandria (1714)

  9. New Confessor Smaragda, abbess, of Nezhinsk (Ukraine) (1935)

  10. Saint Theopemptus, who died in peace

  11. The Holy Martyr Theopistis, who was stoned to death

  12. The Venerable Nilus the Sanctified, founder of the Monastery of Geromerion

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic

<22> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, <23> gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. <24> And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. <25> If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. <26> Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. <1> Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. <2> Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

<5> For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— <6> if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. <7> For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, <8> but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, <9> holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. <10> For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, <11> whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. <12> One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." <13> This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, <14> not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. <15> To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. <16> They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. <1> But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

<17> And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, <18> as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. <19> And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. <20> Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. <21> Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. <22> Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. <23> Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

<38> Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, <39> the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, <40> who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." <41> Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. <42> Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. <43> So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; <44> for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

Greek

<4> And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. <5> So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." <6> As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek"; <7> who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, <8> though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. <9> And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, <10> called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek,"

<1> There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. <2> This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." <3> Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." <4> Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" <5> Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. <6> That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <7> Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' <8> The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." <9> Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?" <10> Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? <11> Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. <12> If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? <13> No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. <14> And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, <15> that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Daily Orthodox - January 3rd, 2025

Today is Friday of the 28th Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Prophet Malachi

Chronologically, Malachi was the last of the prophets. He was born after the return of the Hebrews from the Babylonian Captivity in 538 B.C. He was unusually handsome in countenance. According to tradition, the people called him an angel, perhaps because of his external beauty or because of his spiritual purity, or even perhaps because of his association with an angel of God. On many occasions he spoke face to face with an angel. When this occurred, others heard the angel's voice, but they were not worthy to see the face of the angel. The young Malachi prophesied that which the angel proclaimed. He cried out against ungrateful Israel and against the lawless priests. Five hundred years before Christ, Malachi clearly prophesied the coming and the mission of John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1). But he is chiefly the prophet of the day of the Dread Judgment. He reposed in the Lord while still young. Following him, there were no more prophets in Israel until John the Baptist.

  1. The Holy Martyr Gordius of Caesarea in Cappadocia (ca. 314)

Gordius was born in Caesarea of Cappadocia. He was an officer in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Licinius. When a terrible persecution of the Christians broke out, Gordius left the army and his rank and withdrew to the wilderness of Sinai. Alone on Mount Horeb, Gordius spent his time in prayer and contemplation of the mysteries of heaven and earth. He pondered the vanity and worthlessness of all that men strive and fight for on earth, and finally came to the desire to die and enter into the eternal and incorruptible life. With this desire he descended into the town at the time of certain pagan races and games. Gordius presented himself to the governor of that town, declaring that he was a Christian. In vain did the governor try, through flatteries and threats, to dissuade him from the Faith. Gordius remained unwavering and firm as a diamond, saying: "Is it not sheer folly to purchase, with this short-lived life, a life of eternal torment and spiritual death?" Being condemned to death, he joyfully hurried to the scaffold and, along the way, spoke to the executioners of the glorious and sweet teachings of Christ. With the name of Christ on his lips, Gordius offered his young body to the sword and his righteous soul to God, in the year 320.

  1. Saint Genevieve of Paris (ca. 502)

Genevieve was born in the village of Nanterre, seven miles from Paris, about the year 420. She is the patroness of the city of Paris. Through fasting, prayer and almsgiving she was made worthy of the Kingdom of God, and she reposed on January 3, 512, in the eighty-ninth year of her life. Her relics were for the most part burnt and thrown into the River Seine by the Revolutionaries in 1793.

  1. St. Findlugan of Islay (7th c.)

  2. St. Peter of Atroa (837)

  3. St. Thomais of Lesbos (10th c.)

  4. Righteous Euthymius (Taqaishvili) the Man of God, of Tbilisi (1953)

  5. The Venerable Acacius of Latros, the Wonderworker, who founded the Lavra of the Mother of God of the Myrsyrion

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic

<15> To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. <16> They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. <1> But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: <2> that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; <3> the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— <4> that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, <5> to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. <6> Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, <7> in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, <8> sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. <9> Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, <10> not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

<1> Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" <2> And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." <3> Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, <4> "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?" <5> And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. <6> For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. <7> But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. <8> For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

Greek

<44> While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. <45> And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. <46> For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, <47> "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" <48> And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. <1> Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. <2> And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, <3> saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!" <4> But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: <5> "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. <6> When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. <7> And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' <8> But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.' <9> But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' <10> Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

<18> No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. <19> Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" <20> He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." <21> And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." <22> Then they said to him, "Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" <23> He said: "I am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the Lord," ' as the prophet Isaiah said." <24> Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. <25> And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" <26> John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. <27> It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose." <28> These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Daily Orthodox - January 4th, 2025

Today is Saturday of the 28th Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles

Besides the Twelve Great Apostles, the Lord chose seventy lesser apostles and sent them to preach the Gospel: Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3). But just as Judas, one of the Twelve, fell away from the Lord, so some among the Seventy abandoned the Lord—not with the intention of betrayal, but because of human weakness and faintheartedness (John 6:66). As Judas' place was filled by another apostle, so also were the places of these lesser apostles filled by others that were chosen. These seventy lesser apostles labored at the same work as did the Twelve Great Apostles; they were co-workers with the Twelve in spreadinng and establishing the Church of God in the world. They endured many sufferings and malevolent acts from men and demons, but their strong faith and fervent love for the resurrected Lord made them victors over the world and inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven.

  1. Jevstatije, Archbishop of Serbia

Jevstatije [Eustathius] was born in the district of Budim, of God-fearing parents. As a young man he was tonsured a monk in Zeta; then he entered a higher form of asceticism in Hilandar Monastery [on Mount Athos]. In time, Jevstatije became the Abbot of Hilandar. As abbot, he was elected Bishop of Zeta and, after a certain period of time, was elected Archbishop of Serbia. Jevstatije was a man of great charity, who governed Christ's flock with zeal and love. He reposed peacefully at a great age in the year 1279, crying out before his death: "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul." His relics are interred under the floor of the church at the Patriarchate of Peč.

  1. Martyr Djan Darada, the Ethiopian eunuch of Queen Candace (1st c.)

The Apostle Philip baptized this Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). Following his baptism, he returned to his home and began to preach Christ. This eunuch was the first apostle of the Faith among the Ethiopians. He died a martyr and was found worthy of the Kingdom of God.

  1. The Venerable Martyr Onuphrius of Gabrovo and Hilandar Monastery (1818)

In his youth, Onuphrius became angry with his parents and declared before the Turks that he was going to convert to Islam. Immediately afterward, he repented of these words and went to Hilandar Monastery, where he was tonsured a monk. Tormented by his conscience, Onuphrius resolved upon martyrdom. Because of his determination, and with the blessing of his spiritual father, he departed for Trnovo, Bulgaria, where he reported to the Turks, proclaimed himself a Christian, and ridiculed Mohammed. Because of that, Onuphrius was beheaded on January 4, 1818, in his thirty-second year. The body of this spiritual knight is not preserved, for the Turks threw it into the sea.

  1. Martyr Zosimas the Hermit and Athanasius the Commentarisius (prison warden), of Cilicia (3rd-4th c.)

  2. St. Gregory of Langres (Gaul) (539-540)

  3. St. Evagrius (fellow-ascetic of St. Shio of Mgvime), St. Elias the Deacon, and others (Georgia) (6th c.)

  4. St. Theoctistus, abbot of Cucomo Monastery in Sicily (800)

  5. St. Euthymius the Younger, monk, of Thessalonica

  6. Hieromartyr Euthymius, abbot, and twelve monk-martyrs of Vatopedi (1285)

  7. St. Aquila, deacon, of the Kiev Caves (14th c.)

  8. St. Symeon, metropolitan of Smolensk (1699)

  9. New Hieromartyr Mark (Novoselov), bishop of Sergievsk (1938)

  10. The Holy Matrys Chrysanthus and Euphemia, venerated at Constantinople

  11. The Venerable John Scholarios, disciple of Saint Sabas and Abbot of the Monastery of the tower of Eudocia

  12. Six Holy Martyrs who, after their contests, died in peace

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

[<13> For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.] <14> These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; <15> but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. <16> And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. <1> Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, <2> speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, <3> forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <4> For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; <5> for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

<1> In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <2> and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" <3> For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.'" <4> Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <5> Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him <6> and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. [<7> But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? <8> Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, <9> and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. <10> And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. <11> I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.]

Daily Orthodox - January 27th, 2025

Today is Monday of the 32nd Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. Saint John Chrysostom, the Golden Trumpet of Orthodoxy

The memory of this luminary of the Church is celebrated on November 13 and January 30, but on this day the Church celebrates the translation of his honorable relics from the Georgian village of Comana, where he had reposed in exile, to Constantinople, where he had previously governed the Church. Thirty years after the death of St. John, Patriarch Proclus delivered a homily in memory of his spiritual father and teacher. He so inflamed the love of the people and the emperor, Theodosius the Younger, toward this great saint, that all of them desired Chrysostom's relics be translated to Constantinople. It was said that the sarcophagus containing the relics of St. John Chrysostom did not allow itself to be moved from its resting place until the emperor wrote a letter to Chrysostom begging his forgiveness (for Theodosius' mother, Eudoxia, was responsible for the banishment of this saint) and appealing to him to come to Constantinople, his former residence. When this letter of repentance was placed on the sarcophagus, its weight became extremely light. At the time of the translation of his relics, many of the sick who touched the sarcophagus were healed. When the relics arrived in the capital, the emperor, in the name of his mother—as though she herself were speaking over the relics—again prayed to the saint for forgiveness: "While I lived in this transient life, I did you ill; and now, when you are living the immortal life, be of aid to my soul. My glory passed away and did not help me at all. Help me, Father; in your glory, help me before I am condemned at the Judgment of Christ!" When the saint was brought into the Church of the Twelve Apostles and placed on the patriarchal throne, the mass of people heard from St. John Chrysostom's mouth the words: "Peace be unto all." The translation of the relics of St. John Chrysostom took place in the year 438.

  1. The Venerable Titus of the Monastery of the Kiev Caves

At first, Titus was a soldier. When he sustained a head injury in battle, Titus withdrew from the world to the Monastery of the Kiev Caves, where he was healed and then tonsured a monk. Titus spent his time in unceasing mourning for his earlier sins. Before his death, he was informed, through a heavenly apparition, that all of his sins had been forgiven. His relics lie in the Caves of Theodosius.

  1. St. Peter of Egypt (5th c.)

  2. New Martyr Demetrius, at Constantinople (1784)

  3. St. Demetrius Klepinine, priest, of Paris (1944)

  4. The Holy Empress Marciana, the wife of Justin I (518-27)

  5. Memory of the Venerable Claudius, who died in peace

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

<26> For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; <27> who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. <28> For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. <1> Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, <2> a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

<9> I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. <10> The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. <11> "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. <12> But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. <13> The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. <14> I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. <15> As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. <16> And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Slavic

<14> What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? <15> If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, <16> and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? <17> Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. <18> But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. <19> You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! <20> But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? <21> Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? <22> Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? <23> And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. <24> You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. <25> Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? <26> For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

<46> Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. <47> And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" <48> Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" <49> So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." <50> And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. <51> So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." <52> Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Daily Orthodox - January 28th, 2025

Today is Tuesday of the 32nd Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Venerable Ephraim the Syrian

Ephraim was born in Syria of poor parents during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. He spent his youth rather tempestuously, but suddenly a change took place in his soul, and he began to burn with love for the Lord Jesus. Ephraim was a disciple of St. James of Nisibis (January 13). Due to the great grace of God, wisdom flowed from his tongue like a stream of honey, and ceaseless tears flowed from his eyes. Industrious as a bee, Ephraim continually wrote books, orally taught the monks in the monastery and the people in the town of Edessa, and dedicated himself to prayer and contemplation. Numerous are his books and beautiful are his prayers, the most famous of which is his prayer recited during the season of Great Lent: "O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition and idle talking give me not; but rather a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love bestow upon me. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen." When they wanted to appoint him a bishop by force, he pretended to be insane and began to race through the city of Edessa, dragging his garment behind him. Seeing this, the people left him in peace. Ephraim was a contemporary and friend of St. Basil the Great. St. Ephraim is especially considered to be the apostle of repentance. Even today, his works soften many hearts hardened by sin and return them to Christ. He reposed in extreme old age in the year 378.

  1. The Venerable Isaac the Syrian, bishop of Nineveh (7th c.)

Isaac was born in Nineveh, and in his youth he lived an ascetic life in the Monastery of Mar Matthew, in the proximity of Nineveh. When Isaac became known because of the sanctity of his life and his many miracles, he was elected Bishop of Nineveh and was forced to accept that rank. After only five months, however, he left the bishopric and secretly withdrew into the wilderness, to the Monastery of Rabban-Shabur. He compiled many works, of which about a hundred homilies on the spiritual life and asceticism, written primarily from his personal experience, have come down to us today. He was unequaled as a psychologist and director in the spiritual life. Even such saints as St. Simeon of the Wonderful Mountain sought counsel from him. Isaac reposed in extreme old age toward the end of the seventh century.

[footnote: He is absent from the Greek hagiographical collections but is commemorated in the Slav synaxaria. Some historians suppose that Abba Isaac would have belonged to the Nestorian Church, which alone was present at that time in Syria-Mesopotamia. However, it should be noted that there is no trace of heresy in his writings. Moreover his preeminent authority in the Orthodox spiritual tradition justifies his inclusion in the Synaxarion.]

  1. The Venerable Palladius, Hermit of Syria

Palladius was a great ascetic and miracle-worker. Once, the corpse of a certain wealthy man, whom brigands had killed and robbed, was found in front of his cell. Palladius was accused of the crime. When Palladius was brought to court, he prayed to God in order to be spared misfortune, and through prayer he resurrected the dead man. Palladius reposed in the fourth century.

  1. The Venerable Ephraim of the Monastery of the Kiev Caves

Ephraim reposed in 1096. He instituted the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas to Bari [Italy], which is celebrated on May 9.

  1. St. Valerius, bishop of Saragossa (315)

  2. St. John of Reomans (Gaul) (544)

  3. St. Ephraim, founder of the Sts. Boris and Gleb Monastery (Novotorzhok) (1053)

  4. St. Theodosius, founder of Totma Monastery (Vologda) (1568)

  5. New Hiero-confessor Arsenius (Stadnitsky), metropolitan of Tashkent and Turkestan (1936)

  6. New Hieromartyrs Ignatius (Sadkovsky), bishop of Skopin; Vladimir Pischulin, priest, at Simferopol, and Bartholomew (Ratnykh), hieromonk, at Feodosia (Crimea) (1938)

  7. New Hiero-confessor Archimandrite Leontius (Stasevich) of Jablechna (Poland), who reposed at Mikhailovsk (Ivanovo) (Russia) (1972)

  8. The Holy Martyr Chariss, who died after his feet were cut off

  9. (Greek cal.: St. James the Ascetic, of Porphyreon in Palestine)

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Daily Scriptures

Slavic

<1> My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. <2> For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. <3> Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. <4> Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. <5> Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! <6> And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. <7> For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. <8> But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. <9> With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. <10> Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

<11> And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. <12> Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. <13> And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. <14> In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it. <15> So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. <16> And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. <17> Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'" <18> And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. <19> When evening had come, He went out of the city. <20> Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. <21> And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." <22> So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. <23> For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Greek

<22> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, <23> gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. <24> And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. <25> If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. <26> Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. <1> Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. <2> Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

<17> And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, <18> as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. <19> And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. <20> Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. <21> Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. <22> Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. <23> Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Daily Orthodox - January 29th, 2025

Today is Wednesday of the 32nd Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, bishop of Antioch (107)

The principal feast of St. Ignatius is celebrated in winter, on December 20. On this date we commemorate the translation of his relics from Rome, where he suffered martyrdom, to Antioch, where he had earlier been bishop. When St. Ignatius was summoned to Rome to account for his faith before Emperor Trajan, he was accompanied on this long journey by several citizens from Antioch, who were motivated by a great love toward their wonderful archpastor. Since he would never deny his faith in Christ, this saint of God, who abhorred all the adulation and promises of Emperor Trajan, was condemned to death and thrown to wild beasts in the Circus Maximus. The wild beasts tore him apart, and he surrendered his soul to God. His companions then gathered his exposed bones, took them to Antioch, and honorably buried them. When the Persians captured Antioch in the sixth century, the relics of St. Ignatius were again translated from Antioch to Rome.

  1. The Holy Martyrs Romanus, James, Philotheus, Hyperechius, Abibus, Julian and Paregorius

They all suffered martyrdom for the Lord Jesus Christ in Samosata during the reign of Emperor Maximilian, in the year 297. Philotheus and Hyperechius were aristocrats and the others were young men of noble birth. The pagans inflicted a terrible death upon them, hammering nails into the heads of each of them. They suffered martyrdom honorably and entered into eternal joy.

  1. The Venerable Lawrence of the Monastery of the Kiev Caves

Saint Lawrence began his monastic life at the Lavra of Kiev in the first half of the twelfth century. Lawrence voluntarily chose the life of a recluse, following the examples of the earlier recluses Isaac and Nicetas. However, he guarded himself against the diabolical delusions which befell the other two in the beginning. With great abstinence, prayer and divine contemplation, Lawrence attained a high state of perfection. He learned from a terrified demon that, of the 118 monks in the Monastery of the Caves, 30 had been given by God authority over evil spirits. Saint Lawrennce later became Bishop of Turov (1182). Lawrence went to the Lord in the year 1194.

  1. St. Barsimaeus the Confessor, bishop of Edessa (2nd c.)

  2. Hieromartyrs Silvanus, bishop of Emesa, the deacon Luke, and the reader Mocius (Mucius) (312)

  3. St. Aphrahates the Persian, hermit, of Antioch (370)

  4. St. Gildas the Wise, abbot, of Rhuys, Brittany (ca. 570)

  5. St. Severus, bishop of Bourges (591)

  6. St. Ashot Kuropalates of Tao-Klarjeti, Georgia (829)

  7. St. Ignatius, bishop of Smolensk (1210)

  8. St. Andrew (Rublev), iconographer, of the Spaso-Andronikov Monnastery (Moscow) (1430)

  9. Sts. Gerasimus (1441), Pitirim (1455), and Jonah (1470), bishops of Perm

  10. New Martyr Demetrius of Chios, at Constantinople (1802)

  11. (Greek cal.: Martyrs Sarbelus [Thathuil] and his sister Bebaia, of Edessa [98-138])

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

The more a man advances in spiritual knowledge and in purification of the heart, the more it appears to him that the depth in which he finds himself is even lower than he had previously thought, and that the height to which he strives is even higher. When one spiritual giant, who was on his deathbed, heard that his companions were praising him because of his great asceticism, he began to weep, and said: "My children, I have not even begun my spiritual life. [ed. note: This sounds like the words of St. Sisoes the Great.] When St. Ignatius the God-bearer lay chained in the dungeon, he wrote to the Ephesians: "I do not command you as though I were someone significant. Even though I am in chains for the name of Jesus Christ, nevertheless, I still have not perfected myself in Him. Now I am beginning to be His disciple, and I speak to you as to an assembly of my teachers."

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

<11> Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? <12> Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. <13> Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. <14> But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. <15> This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. <16> For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. <17> But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. <18> Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. <1> Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? <2> You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. <3> You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. <4> Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. <5> Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? <6> But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

<22> So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. <23> For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. <24> Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. <25> "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. <26> But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Greek

<32> But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: <33> partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; <34> for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. <35> Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. <36> For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: <37> "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. <38> Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

<33> Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" <34> But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. <35> And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." <36> Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, <37> "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me." <38> Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." <39> But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. <40> For he who is not against us is on our side. <41> For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Daily Orthodox - January 30th, 2025

Today is Thursday of the 32nd Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and Saint John Chrysostom

Each of these saints has his own feast day: St. Basil the Great, January 1; St. Gregory the Theologian, January 25; and St. John Chrysostom, January 27. This combined feast day, January 30, was instituted in the eleventh century during the reign of Emperor Alexius Comnenus. Once, a debate arose among the people concerning who among the three was the greatest. Some extolled Basil because of his purity and courage; others extolled Gregory for his unequaled depth and lofty mind in theology; still others extolled Chrysostom because of his eloquence and clarity in expounding the Faith. Thus some were called Basilians, others Gregorians, and the third were called Johannites. This debate was settled by divine providence, to the benefit of the Church and to the even greater glory of the three saints. Bishop John of Euchaita (June 14) had a vision in a dream: At first all three of these saints appeared to him separately in great glory and indescribable beauty, and after that, all three appeared together. They said to him: "As you see, we are one in God and there is nothing contradictory in us; neither is there a first or a second among us." The saints also advised Bishop John to write a common service for them and to order a common feast day of celebration. Following this wonderful vision, the debate was settled in this manner: January 30 would be designated as the common feast of these three hierarchs. The Greeks consider this feast not only an ecclesiastical feast, but also their greatest national and school holiday.

  1. The Hieromartyr Hippolytus, Priest of Rome and with him Martyrs Censorinus, Sabinus, Ares, the virgin Chryse, Felix, Maximus, Herculianus, Venerius, Styracius, Mennas, Commodus, Hermes, Maurus, Eusebius, Rusticus, Monagrius, Amandinus, Olympius, Cyprus, Theodore the Tribune, the priest Maximus, the deacon Archelaus, and the bishop Cyriacus, at Ostia (3rd c.)

Hippolytus suffered for the Faith during the reign of Claudius. When the virgin Chrysa was mercilessly tortured for Christ in Rome, St. Hippolytus interceded on her behalf before the torturers and denounced them. Because of this protest, Hippolytus also was brought to court and condemnned and, after prolonged tortures, was sentenced to death. They bound his hands and feet and drowned him in the sea. Along with Hippolytus and Chrysa, twenty other martyrs also suffered. St. Hippolytus suffered in the year 269.

  1. The Holy Martyr Theophilus the New

As a commander under the Emperor Constantine and the Empress Irene, Theophilus was enslaved by the Hagarenes and was kept in prison for four years. When he refused all pressures from the Moslems to abandon the Christian Faith, Theophilus was beheaded with the sword, taking up his abode with the Lord in the year 784.

  1. Saint Peter, King of Bulgaria

Peter, the son of Simeon, was a great admirer of St. John of Rila. He gained independence from Constantinople for the Bulgarian Church, and preserved Orthodoxy in Bulgaria from the Bogomils. After an unsuccessful war with the Hungarians and Russians, Peter abdicated and reposed in ca. 670, in the fifty-sixth year of his life.

  1. St. Zeno, hermit, of Antioch (414), disciple of St. Basil the Great

  2. St. Adelgonda, foundress of Maubeuge (Neth.) (680)

  3. St. Bathilde, queen of France (680)

  4. St. Zeno the Faster, of the Kiev Caves (14th c.)

  5. New Martyr Hadji Theodore of Mylitene (Mt. Athos) (1784)

  6. New Martyr Demetrius of Sliven (1841)

  7. St. Theophil, fool-for-Christ, of Svyatogorsk Monastery (1868)

  8. St. Pelagia of Diveyevo, fool-for-Christ (1884)

  9. "Tinos" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

Here is an example of how emperors seek counsel from the saints, how the saints avoid vanity and riches, and how they counsel emperors. The Orthodox King Peter of Bulgaria set off with his retinue for Rila Mountain, driven by the insatiable desire to see St. John of Rila and to benefit from his instruction. The king sent men ahead to inform the saint of his arrival, but the saint did not agree to meet with the king. The saddened king again sent some men with foodstuffs and an ample amount of gold, as well as a petition requesting the saint to write some counsel for him. John accepted the food but returned the gold, not even wanting to touch it; and he replied to the king: "If you desire the Heavenly Kingdom, be merciful like the Heavenly Father. Do not trust in injustice and do not be covetous; be meek, quiet and accessible to everyonne. Do not accept praises from your noblemen. Let your purple robe radiate with virtues. May the remembrance of death never depart from your soul. Humble yourself before the feet of our Mother Church; bow your head before her chief hierarchs so that the King of kings, seeinng your sincerity, may reward you with goodness such as never entered into the heart of man." Receiving that letter, the king kissed it, and he later read it frequently.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

<7> Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. <8> Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. <9> Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. <10> We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. <11> For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. <12> Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. <13> Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. <14> For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. <15> Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. <16> But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

<14> "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. <15> Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. <16> Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. <17> "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. <18> For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. <19> Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Slavic

<7> Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. <8> Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. <9> Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. <10> Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. <11> Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. <12> There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? <13> Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; <14> whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. <15> Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." <16> But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. <17> Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. <1> Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! <2> Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. <3> Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. <4> Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. <5> You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. <6> You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. <7> Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. <8> You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. <9> Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

<27> Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. <28> And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?" <29> But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: <30> The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me." <31> And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' <32> But if we say, 'From men'"—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. <33> So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Daily Orthodox - January 31st, 2025

Today is Friday of the 32nd Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. Cyrus and John, Unmercenaries and Miracle-workers, and the Holy Martyrs Athanasia and her daughters Theodota, Theoctista, and Eudoxia

These charitable and glorious saints were not blood brothers, but were brothers in the spirit. Cyrus began in Alexandria, and as a physician he healed people by the power of Christ and by his knowledge of medicine. Learning that sickness mostly befalls man because of sin, Cyrus always directed the sick to purify their souls from sin through repentannce and prayer, and thereby to restore health to their bodies. When Diocletian's persecution against Christians began, Cyrus withdrew to Arabia, where he received the monastic tonsure. He became so famous in Arabia as he had been in Alexandria, so that people there also resorted to him for assistance. Hearing about Cyrus, John—then a Roman officer in Edessa—came to Arabia to see him. Upon meeting, they loved one another as a brother loves a brother, and remained together to live a life of asceticism. At that time, a certain Christian woman named Anastasia and her three daughters were tortured by the persecutors in the townn of Canopus. Hearing of this, Cyrus and John came to Canopus to encourage the mother and her daughters not to abandon the Faith. Truly, thanks to the counsel of these saints, Anastasia endured all tortures, and with her daughters she was martyred for Christ. The daughters of Anastasia were: Saints Theoctista, age fifteen; Theodora, age thirteen; and Eudocia, age eleven. The tormentors then captured Cyrus and John, who were beheaded after imprisonment and torture in the year 311. Numerous miracles were wrought by these martyrs, both during their lives and after their deaths. Their relics were translated to Rome during the reign of the Emperor Arcadius. These saints are invoked for assistance, especially during the Blessing of Water, in the Sacrament of Holy Unction, and by those suffering from insomnia.

  1. The Holy Martyr Tryphaenes, at Cyzicus

Saint Triphaenes came from Cyzicus on the Hellespont. Tryphaena [ed. note: these different renderings of her name are part of the text] willingly and courageously endured many tortures for Christ. Because she did not want to deny her Faith, a wild ox was goaded to attack her, and gored her to death. This occurred in the first century. At the place where her blood was shed, there is said to have welled up a spring of clear water which, when taken by women—or even female animals—whose milk had dried up, restored its flow for the benefit of their sucklings. St. Tryphaena is invoked by mothers who are unable to nurse their children.

  1. The Venerable Nicetas of the Monastery of the Kiev Caves

As a monk in disobedience to his superior, Nicetas left the monastery and closed himself in a cell. Because of his disobedience, God permitted great temptations to befall him. Once, when Nicetas was at prayer, the devil appeared to him under the guise of a radiant angel and said to him: "Do not pray anymore, but rather read books and I will pray for you!" Nicetas obeyed, ceased to pray, and began to read books. He only read the Old Testament. He was unable to open the New Testament, for the power of the devil prevented him from doing so. With the help of the devil, Nicetas prophesied—but only about crimes, thefts, arson and other evil deeds which are known to the devil and in which he participates. Finally, the Holy Fathers of the Caves realized that Nicetas had fallen into demonic delusion, and they began to pray to God for him. Nicetas returned to the monastery, realized the state of ruin he was in, repented bitterly over his disobedience and pride, and directed himself on the right path. After prolonged repentance and many tears, God forgave him and bestowed upon him the gift of miracle-working. He reposed in the year 1108.

  1. Martyrs Victorinus, Victor, Nicephorus, Claudius, Diodorus, Serapion, and Papias, at Corinth (251 or 258)

  2. St. Marcella of Rome (410)

  3. St. Athanasius, bishop of Methone (ca. 880)

  4. New Monk-martyr Elias (Ardunis), of Mt. Athos and Kalamata (1686)

  5. St. Arsenius the New, of Paros (1877)

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Daily Scriptures

Slavic

<1> Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, <2> elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. <10> Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, <11> searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. <12> To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. <6> Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." <7> Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," <8> and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. <9> But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; <10> who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

<1> Then He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. <2> Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. <3> And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. <4> Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. <5> And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. <6> Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.' <7> But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' <8> So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. <9> "Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. <10> Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. <11> This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?" <12> And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

Greek

<27> Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. <28> And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. <29> Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? <30> Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? <31> But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. <1> Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. <2> And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. <3> And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. <4> Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; <5> does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; <6> does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; <7> bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. <8> Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

<1> And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. <5> These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. <6> But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. <7> And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' <8> Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Daily Orthodox - February 1st, 2025

Today is Saturday of the 32nd Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Holy Martyr Tryphon of Campsada, near Apamea in Syria (250)

Tryphon was born of poor parents in the village of Lampsacus in Phrygia. In his childhood he tended geese. From his childhood he also had great grace from God, such that he was able to cure illnesses that afflicted people and livestock and to expel evil spirits. The Roman Empire at that time was ruled by the Emperor Gordian. The emperor's daughter Gordiana went insane, and this caused the emperor great sorrow. All the physicians were unable to help Gordiana. An evil spirit spoke through Gordiana and said that no one except Tryphon could cast him out. After many who were named Tryphon in the empire were summoned, by divine providence young Tryphon was also summoned. He was brought to Rome, and he healed the emperor's daughter. The emperor lavished upon him many gifts, all of which Tryphon distributed to the poor upon his return. In his village this holy youth continued to tend geese and to pray to God. When Decius, the persecutor of Christians, was crowned Emperor, St. Tryphon was tortured and cruelly tormented for Christ. He endured all his tortures with great joy, saying: "Oh, if only I could be made worthy to die by fire and torture for the name of the Lord and God, Jesus Christ!" The tortures did him no harm, and finally the torturers sentenced him to be beheaded. Before his death Tryphon prayed to God, and he gave up his soul to his Creator, in the year 250.

  1. The Holy Martyrs Perpetua, and the catechumens Saturus, Revocatus, Saturninus, Secundulus, and Felicitas, at Carthage (202-203)

As Christians, they were all cast into prison during the reign of Emperor Septimus Severus. St. Perpetua, who was of noble birth, encouraged all the other prisoners not to be afraid to suffer for Christ. In a dream, Perpetua saw a ladder—imbedded with sharp knives, swords, spears, fishhooks, nails, and other death-bearing instruments—extending from heaven to earth. At the bottom of the ladder there lay a loathsome serpent. She saw Satyrus run up first to the top of the ladder without injury, and then cry out to her: "Perpetua, I am waiting for you. Come, but be careful of the serpent!" Encouraged by this, Perpetua stood on the head of the serpent as on the first rung of the ladder and, step by step, quickly raced to the top. When she reached the top, Perpetua entered heaven and rejoiced greatly. When she related her dream, all the prisoners interpreted it to mean that imminent death faced them, the first of them being Satyrus. This shortly came true. Satyrus was slain first, then Perpetua, and then all the others one by one. As lambs slain for Christ the Lamb of God, they received from Christ an eternal reward in the Kingdom of Light. They all suffered for Christ between the years 202 and 203.

  1. The Venerable Peter of Galatia, hermit, near Antioch in Syria (ca. 403)

At age seven Peter left the home of his parents for the sake of Christ and retreated into the wilderness. By fasting and prayer, Peter attained such a state of perfection that he worked many miracles by the Spirit of God. In his ninety-ninth year he took up his habitation in the Eternal Kingdom of Christ about the year 403.

  1. St. Vendemianus, hermit, of Bithynia (ca. 512)

  2. St. Brigid of Kildare, patroness of Ireland (523)

  3. St. Seiriol, abbot of Penmon (Anglesey) (6th c.)

  4. Martyr Elias the New, of Damascus (779)

  5. Sts. David (784), Symeon (843), and George (844), confessors, of Mylitene

  6. St. Basil the Confessor, archbishop of Thessalonica (895)

  7. St. Tryphon, bishop of Rostov (1468)

  8. New Martyr Anastasius at Nauplion (1655)

  9. St. Timothy the Confessor, who died in peace

  10. The Holy Martyr Theion, who was slain by the sword together with two children

  11. The Holy Martyr Carion, who died after his tongue was torn out

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

The prayer of St. Tryphon before his death: "O Lord, God of gods and King of kings, the Most-holy of all holies, I thank Thee that Thou hast made me worthy to complete my ascetic labors without faltering. And now I pray to Thee, that the hand of the invisible demon may not touch me; that the demon not drag me into the abyss of destruction. Rather, let Thy holy angels lead me into Thy beautiful dwelling place and make me an heir of Thy desired Kingdom. Receive my soul and hearken to the prayer of all those who will offer sacrifices to Thee in my remembrance. Gaze upon them from Thy holy dwelling place and grant them abundant and incorruptible gifts. For Thou art the only good and merciful Gift-giver unto the ages of ages. Amen."

Since Tryphon had suffered in Nicaea, and since many miracles had occurred over his lifeless body, the citizens of Nicaea wanted to bury Tryphon in their cemetery. But the saint appeared in a vision and expressed his desire to be translated to his village of Lampsacus—where he had once tended geese—and to be buried there.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic

<14> Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. <15> See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. <16> Rejoice always, <17> pray without ceasing, <18> in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. <19> Do not quench the Spirit. <20> Do not despise prophecies. <21> Test all things; hold fast what is good. <22> Abstain from every form of evil. <23> Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

<3> Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. <4> And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." <5> And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." <6> So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. <7> And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? <8> But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? <9> Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. <10> So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"

Greek

<28> And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. <29> For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. <30> Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. <31> What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? <32> He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? <33> Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. <34> Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. <35> Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? <36> As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." <37> Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. <38> For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, <39> nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

<19> Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. <20> Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." <21> In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

Daily Orthodox - February 2nd, 2025

Today is the 32nd Sunday after Pentecost — Sunday of Zacchaeus.

[ the triodion looms ]

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Meeting of Our Lord

The fortieth day after His birth, the All-holy Virgin brought her divine Son into the Temple of Jerusalem, in accordance with the Law, to dedicate Him to God and to purify herself (Leviticus 12:2-7; Exodus 12:2). Even though neither the one nor the other was necessary, the Lawgiver did not want in any way to transgress His own Law, which He had given through Moses, His servant and prophet. At that time, the high-priest Zacharias, the father of John the Forerunner, was serving in the Temple. Zacharias placed the Virgin, not in the temple area reserved for women, but rather in the area reserved for virgins. On this occasion two very special persons appeared in the Temple: the Elder Simeon and Anna, the daughter of Phanuel. The righteous Simeon took the Messiah in his arms and said: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation (Luke 2:29-30). Simeon also spoke the following words about the Christ-child: Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel (Luke 2:34). Then Anna, who from her youth had served God in the Temple, having seen and heard all, became angry with Zacharias because he had placed the Virgin Mary in the area reserved for virgins, and they reported this to King Herod. Convinced that this was the new king spoken of by the Magi from the East, Herod immediately sent his soldiers to kill Jesus. In the meantime, the holy family had already left the city and set out for Egypt under the guidance of an angel of God. The Feast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple was celebrated from earliest times, but the solemn celebration of this day was established in the year 544, during the reign of Emperor Justinian.

  1. The Holy New Martyr Jordan of Trebizond, at Constantinople (1650)

Born in Trebizond, Jordan was a coppersmith by trade. Because he openly defended his faith in Christ and unmasked Islam, Jordan suffered at the hands of the Turks in 1650 at Galata in Constantinople. The monk Gabriel, a canonarch of the Great Church [Hagia Sophia] in Constantinople, suffered in the same manner in the year 1672.

  1. New Hieromartyr Gabriel, hierodeacon, of Constantinople (1676)

  2. St. Anthimus of Chios (1960)

  3. (Greek cal.: Martyr Agathadorus of Tyana in Cappadocia)

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

Speaking about the gradual spread of the celebration of Christ's Nativity, St. John Chrysostom said: "Magnificent and noble trees, when planted in the ground, shortly attain great heights and become heavily laden with fruit; so it is with this day." So it is also with the day of the Meeting of our Lord. From the beginning this day was commemorated among Christians, but the solemn celebration began in the time of the great Emperor Justinian. During his reign, a great pestilence afflicted the people in Constantinople and its vicinity, so that five thousand or more people died daily. At the same time a terrible earthquake occurred in Antioch. Seeing man's inability to prevent these misfortunes, the emperor, in consultation with the patriarch, ordered a period of fasting and prayer throughout the entire empire. And, on the day of the Meeting itself, he arranged great processions throughout the towns and villages, that the Lord might show compassion on His people. And truly, the Lord did show compassion, for the epidemic and earthquake ceased at once. This occurred in the year 544. From that time on, the Feast of the Meeting began to be celebrated as a great feast of the Lord. The tree, in time, grew and began to bring forth abundant fruit.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

<7> Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. <8> Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. <9> Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, <10> for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. <11> Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? <12> For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. <13> For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. <14> For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. <15> And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest <16> who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. <17> For He testifies: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

<22> Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord <23> (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), <24> and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." <25> And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. <26> And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. <27> So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, <28> he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: <29> "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; <30> For my eyes have seen Your salvation <31> Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, <32> A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." <33> And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. <34> Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against <35> (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." <36> Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; <37> and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. <38> And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. <39> So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. <40> And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Slavic

<9> This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. <10> For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. <11> These things command and teach. <12> Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. <13> Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. <14> Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. <15> Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

<1> Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. <2> Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. <3> And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. <4> So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. <5> And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." <6> So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. <7> But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." <8> Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." <9> And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; <10> for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Daily Orthodox - February 3rd, 2025

Today is Monday of the 33rd Week after Pentecost.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. Name

  2. Remainder

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

Daily Orthodox - February 10th, 2025

Forgive me for my absence. Virus #4 hit us in the form of viral gastroenteritis.

Today is Monday of the Week of the Publican and the Pharisee.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Hieromartyr Charalampus, bishop of Magnesia in Asia Minor, and Martyrs Porphyrius and Baptus (202)

This great saint, Charalampus, was a bishop in Magnesia who suffered for Christ in his 113th year. When a terrible persecution began during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, the elderly Charalampus did not hide from the persecutors. Instead, he freely and openly preached the Christian Faith. He endured all tortures as though he were in someone else's body. When they skinned him alive, the forgiving elder said to the emperor's soldiers: "Thank you, my brethren, for in scraping my old body you renew my spirit for a new eternal life." He worked many miracles and converted many to the Faith. Even the emperor's daughter, Galina, abandoned the idolatry of her father and became a Christian. Condemned to death and brought to the place of execution, St. Charalampus raised his hands to heaven and prayed to God for all people, that God would grant them bodily health and spiritual salvation and that He would multiply their fruit on the earth: "O Lord, Thou knowest that men are flesh and blood; forgive them their sins and pour out Thy grace on all!" After praying, this holy elder gave up his soul to God before the executioner lowered the sword on his neck. He suffered in the year 202. The emperor's daughter, Galina, removed his body and honorably buried it.

  1. The Venerable Prochorus, the Orach-eater
    [footnote: Orach: any plant of the genus Atriplex, cultivated for use like spinach.—Trans.]

Prochorus was a miracle-worker of the Monastery of the Kiev Caves. He is called the orach-eater because, during the time that he lived in the Monastery of the Caves, he did not taste bread. Instead, he fed on orach, mixing it in his own way, and from it he prepared a type of bread. Whenever he would give someone his orach bread with a blessing, the bread tasted sweet, as though prepared from honey. If, however, someone stole the bread, it was as bitter as wormwood. One time, when there was a shortage of salt in Russia, Prochorus distributed ashes to the people in place of salt. The ashes that he distributed with his blessing were as salt; however, the ashes that people took oon their own remained ordinary ashes. Prince Svyatopolk ordered that all the ashes from Prochorus' cell be taken to his palace with neither the permission nor the blessing of the monk. When the ashes were removed, those who tasted them were convinced that they were ashes and not salt. Then Prochorus told the people who came to him for salt to go to the emperor's palace and, when the prince threw the ashes out of his palace, to take them and carry them home for salt. The people did so, and again the ashes were salt. Having become convinced, the prince himself was filled with respect and love toward the holy man. When Prochorus died in the year 1107, the prince, with his own hands, placed him in the tomb alongside the great Russian saints, Anthony and Theodosius.

  1. Martyrs Ennatha, Valentina, and Paula, of Palestine (308)

  2. St. Scholastica of Italy (543), sister of St. Benedict of Nursia

  3. St. Anastasius II, patriarch of Jerusalem (706)

  4. Synaxis of Novgorod Hierarchs: Sts. Joachim (1030), Luke the Jew (1060), Germanus (1095), Arcadius (1162), Gregory (1193), Martyrius (1199), Anthony (1231), Basil (1352), Moses (1362), Symeon (1421), Gennadius (1504), Pimen (1571), and Athonius (1653)

  5. St. Anna of Novgorod (1050), wife of Yaroslav I

  6. St. John Chimchimeli of Bachkovo and Gremi (13th c.)

  7. St. Longinus, founder of Koryazhemka Monastery (Vologda) (1540)

  8. St. Raphael, archimandrite (1765), and St. Ioannicus, hieromonk (1882), of Svatogorsk Monastery

  9. "Aerovindus" ("Fiery Vision") Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

Many of the serious infirmities that befall a man have their cause, known or unknown, in his past. The causes of such serious infirmities as, let us say, mental disorder, are nothing other than the transgression of the moral law of God. [ed. note: This is obviously not the sole origin of mental disorder and should not be taken as such. Consult your priest and your therapist/psychiatric professional.]

When St. Charalampus was being tortured, the persecuting emperor learned of his miracle-working power. The emperor ordered an insane man to be brought before Charalampus, to see if Charalampus could heal him. The devil had tormented this man for thirty-five years, driving him into the wilderness and hills and hurling him into bogs and chasms. When this deranged man approached Charalampus, the demon sensed a sweet-smelling fragrance emanating from the holy man and shouted; "I beg you, O servant of God, do not torment me before my time, but command me and I will depart. And, if you wish, I will tell you how it happened that I entered into this man." The saint commanded the demon to relate the story. The demon said: "This man wanted to steal from his neighbor and thought to himself: 'If I don't kill the man first, I will not be able to seize his goods.' So he went and killed his neighbor. Having caught him in the act, I entered him, and, behold, I have dwelt in him for thirty-five years." Upon hearing this, the saint of God commanded the demon to depart from the man immediately and to leave him in peace. The demon departed, and the demented man was restored to health and became tranquil.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic

<20> knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, <21> for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. <1> But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. <2> And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. <3> By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. <4> For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; <5> and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; <6> and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; <7> and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked <8> (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— <9> then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

<9> "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. <10> And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. <11> But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. <12> Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. <13> And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Greek

<1> You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. <2> And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. <3> You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. <4> No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. <5> And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. <6> The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. <7> Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. <8> Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, <9> for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. <10> Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

<17> These things I command you, that you love one another. <18> "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. <19> If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. <20> Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. <21> But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. <22> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. <23> He who hates Me hates My Father also. <24> If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. <25> But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.' <26> "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. <27> And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. <1> "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. <2> They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

Daily Orthodox - February 17th, 2025

Today is Monday of Meatfare.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. The Holy Great-martyr Theodore the Tyro

The word Tyro means recruit. As soon as Theodore entered the army in the Marmarite regiment in the town of Amasea, the persecution of Christians began under the Emperors Maximian and Maximus. As Theodore did not try to conceal the fact that he also was a Christian, he was dragged to court and thrown into prison, which was then locked and sealed because the wicked judge wanted him to die of starvation. The Lord Christ Himself appeared to Theodore in prison and encouraged His martyr, saying to him: "Fear not Theodore, I am with you. Do not partake of earthly food and drink anymore, for you will be with Me in the other world in the heavens—eternal and everlasting." At that moment there appeared a multitude of angels in the prison, and the entire prison shone brightly. The guards, seeing angels dressed in white raiment, became terrified. After that, St. Theodore was taken out, tortured and condemned to death. Theodore was thrown into a fire and gave up his holy soul to the Most-high God. He suffered in the year 306.

  1. The Venerable Theodosius the Bulgarian and his disciple Romanus

As a monk, St. Theodosius settled not far from the city of Trnovo [Bulgaria]. There he established a monastic community, which became known as "Theodosius'" after him. He notably distinguished himself at a council in Bulgaria against the Bogomils in the year 1360. Defending the Orthodox Faith at this council, he shamed the Bogomils by his reasoning. He finished his earthly course in Constantinople in the year 1363. His disciple, Romanus, continued to live as an ascetic in Theodosius' community until his death.

  1. Saint Mariamne (Maria), sister of Apostle Philip (1st c.)

Mariamne was the sister of the Holy Apostle Philip. She traveled with her brother, preaching the Gospel with him in Hierapolis and in other places. Following Philip's martyric death, Mariamne continued her missionary work in Lycaonia, where she died.

  1. St. Auxibius, bishop of Soli on Cyprus (102)

  2. St. Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne (661)

  3. Uncovering of the relics (867-869) of Martyr Menas the Most Eloquent, of Alexandria (ca. 313)

  4. St. Theodore the Silent, of the Kiev Caves (13th c.)

  5. New Martyr Michael Mavroeidis of Adrianople (1490)

  6. St. Hermogenes, patriarch of Moscow and all Russia (1612)

  7. New Martyr Theodore of Byzantium, at Mytilene (1795)

  8. New Hieromartyr Theodore of Adjara, hieromonk, at Mt. Athos (1822)

  9. St. Barnabas, elder, of Gethsemane Skete of St. Sergius Lavra (1906)

  10. St. Nicholas Planas, priest, of Athens (1932)

  11. Weeping "Tikhvin" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, St. Elias Skete, Mt. Athos

  12. (Greek cal.: Synaxis of the Holy Emperor Marcian [457] and St. Pulcheria, his wife [453])

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Daily Scriptures

Slavic

<18> Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. <19> They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. <20> But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. <21> I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. <22> Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. <23> Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. <24> Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. <25> And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. <26> These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. <27> But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. <28> And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. <29> If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. <1> Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. <2> Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. <3> And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. <4> Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. <5> And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. <6> Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. <7> Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. <8> He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. <9> Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. <10> In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

<1> Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; <2> and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. <3> And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?'say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here." <4> So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. <5> But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?" <6> And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. <7> Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. <8> And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. <9> Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' <10> Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" <11> And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Greek

<1> You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. <2> And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. <3> You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. <4> No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. <5> And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. <6> The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. <7> Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. <8> Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, <9> for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. <10> Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

<46> "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, <47> who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." <1> And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, <2> and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. <3> So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; <4> for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."

Daily Orthodox - February 18th, 2025

Today is Tuesday of Meatfare.

Fasting Obligations

Today, we commemorate...

  1. Saint Leo I the Great, Pope of Rome (461)

Leo was born in Italy of devout parents. He first served as archdeacon under Pope Sixtus III, and following the death of Sixtus he was elevated against his will to the throne of the Pope of Rome. When Attila, with his Huns, drew near to Rome and was prepared to destroy and burn the city, Leo came out before him in his episcopal vestments. He subdued the wrath of the leader of the Huns and averted the destruction of Rome. Attila allowed himself to be counseled by this holy man, but was also frightened by a vision of the Apostles Peter and Paul, who stood alongside Leo and threatened him with flaming swords. Not only did St. Leo save Rome, but he also contributed much to save Orthodoxy from the heresy of Eutyches and Dioscorus. This heresy consisted in the merging of the divine and human natures of Christ into one and, consequently, the denial of the two wills in the Person of the Lord Savior. Because of this, the Fourth Ecumenical Council [Chalcedon, 451] was convened, at which time the epistle of St. Leo was read. St. Leo had written this epistle and placed it on the tomb of St. Peter, who corrected it. Before his death, Leo spent forty days in fasting and prayer at the tomb of St. Peter, beseeching him to tell him whether his sins were forgiven. The Apostle Peter appeared to him and said that all of his sins were forgiven except sins committed in the ordination of priests (whence it is evident how grave a sin it is to ordain onne who is unworthy). The saint again fell to prayer until he was told that even those sins were forgiven. He peacefully gave up his soul to the Lord. St. Leo reposed in the year 461.

  1. Saint Flavian the Confessor, archbishop of Constantinople (ca. 449)

Flavian became Patriarch of Constantinople following St. Proclus. He was a contemporary of Pope Leo. He fought resolutely against Eutyches and Dioscorus, but did not live to see the triumph of Orthodoxy at the Fourth Ecumenical Council, for, prior to that, he was so mercilessly beaten and trampled upon at a heretical council in Ephesus that he died there. Flavian was a faithful soldier of Christ—a courageous defender and confessor of the Orthodox Faith. He reposed in the year 449.

  1. Martyrs Leo and Parigorius of Patara in Lycia (ca. 258)

  2. St. Agapitus, bishop of Synnada in Phrygia, and Martyrs Victor, Dorotheus, Theodulus, and Agrippa, who suffered under Licinus (308-324)

  3. St. Helladius, archbishop of Toledo (632)

  4. St. Colman, bishop of Lindisfarne (676)

  5. St. Blaise of Amorium and Mt. Athos (ca. 908)

  6. St. Cosmas, founder of Yakhromsk Monastery (Vladimir) (1492)

  7. St. Nicholas, catholicos of Georgia (1591)

  8. Commemoration of the New Martyrs who suffered during the "Holy Night" in St. Petersburg (1932)

  9. Finding of the relics (1961) of New Martyr Irene of Mytilene (1463)

For more information on today's saints or commemorations not provided, see https://www.oca.org/saints/lives (Slavic) and/or https://www.goarch.org/chapel (Greek).

Reflection

Reflections are added when it includes additional stories from the life of a saint commemorated today.

With great difficulty and with even greater effort and sacrifice, the tares of heresy were sifted from the wheat of the truth of Orthodoxy. The heretics have always made use of lower means and base persons in undermining Orthodoxy. Archimandrite Eutyches of Constantinople and Patriarch Dioscorus of Alexandria—who spread the heretical teaching that there were not two natures in Christ, divine and human, but rather one nature—had as their ally in the imperial court the vile eunuch Chrysaphius. Empress Eudoxia was secretly aligned with them. Patriarch Flavian, like a lion, fearlessly defended Orthodoxy. In this he was assisted by Pulcheria, the sister of the emperor. The eunuch Chrysaphius presented to Emperor Theodosius the most disgusting slanders against Flavian, so that the emperor would remove him from the throne and replace him with the heretic Eutyches. When this and all else failed, the heretics plotted to kill Flavian. At the Robber Council in Ephesus, they beat him and trampled upon him so badly that St. Flavian gave up his soul to God on the third day. What happened in the end? At the Fourth Ecumenical Council [Chalcedon, 451], Eutyches and Dioscorus were anathematized. The eunuch was ousted from the court and shamefully ended his life. The Empress Eudoxia was banished from Constantinople to Palestine. Flavian and Pulcheria were proclaimed saints, and the Orthodox Faith was victoriously confirmed.

Daily Scriptures

Slavic and Greek

[<9> Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. <10> In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.] <11> For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, <12> not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. <13> Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. <14> We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. <15> Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. <16> By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. <17> But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? <18> My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. <19> And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. <20> For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. [<21> Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. <22> And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.]

<10> Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. <11> And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him. <12> Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?" <13> And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. <14> Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"' <15> Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us." <16> So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. <17> In the evening He came with the twelve. <18> Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me." <19> And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, "Is it I?" And another said, "Is it I?" <20> He answered and said to them, "It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. <21> The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born." <22> And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." <23> Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. <24> And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. <25> Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." <26> And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. <27> Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.' <28> "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." <29> Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." <30> Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." <31> But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all said likewise. <32> Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." <33> And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. <34> Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch." <35> He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. <36> And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." <37> Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? <38> Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." <39> Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. <40> And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. <41> Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. <42> Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."