The Abbot’s Study
Saints of the Day
Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Mesopotamia, and their mother St. Theodota. Martyr Hemeningilda the Goth of Spain. Martyrs Cyrenia and Juliana in Cilicia. Martyrs Caesarius,Dacius, Sabbas, Sabinian, Agrippa, Adrian and Thomas at Damascus. Hieromartyrs John the bishop and James the presbyter ofPersia. Martyrs James of Mt. Athos and his two disciples James and Dionysius. (Greek Calendar: Martyrs Cyprian and Juliana. St David of Euboia.) Blessed Cosmas of Verkhoturye (1704). Repose of Elder Hilarion of Valaam and Sarov (1841)
Quote of the Day
“No wickedness, no heresy, not even the devil himself can deceive anyone unless he counterfeits virtue…”
Saint Dorotheos of Gaza
Photo of the Day
The abbot’s study, as seen from the west facing porch of the bookstore.
Scripture Readings for the Day
Ephesians 4:1-6
Walk in Unity
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Luke 8:26-39
A Demon-Possessed Man Healed26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”
And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.
32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.
38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.