Still Time
“There is still time for endurance, time for patience, time for healing, time for change. Have you slipped? Rise up. Have you sinned? Cease. Do not stand among sinners, but leap aside.”
Saint Basil the Great
Thursday June 5, 2025 / May 23, 2025
Afterfeast of the Ascension. Tone six.
Venerable David of the Gareji Monastery and Lukiane, Georgia (6th-7th c.) (movable holiday on the Thursday of Holy Ascension).
Venerable Michael the Confessor, bishop of Synnada (818).
Uncovering of the relics (1164) of St. Leontius, bishop and wonderworker of Rostov (1077).
Synaxis of All Saints of Rostov and Yaroslavl: Bishop Leontius (1073), Bishop Isaiah, wonderworker (1090), Bishop Ignatius (1288), Bishop James (1391), Archbishop Theodore (1394), Metropolitan Demetrius (1709), Archimandrite Abraham the wonderworker (1073-1077), Monk Irinarchus the Hermit (1616). Prince Basil ( 1238), Peter, Tsarevich of Ordynsk (1290) Blessed Isidore, Fool-for-Christ (1474) Blessed John of the Hair-Shirt (the Merciful), Fool-for-Christ (1580); Yaroslav Wonderworkers: Princes Basil (1249), Constantine (1257), Theodore (1299) and his sons David (1321) and Constantine (XIV); Pereslavl Wonderworkers: Monk Nikita the Stylite (1186), Monk Daniel the Archimandrite (1540), Prince Alexander Nevsky (1263), Prince Andrew of Smolensk (15th c.); Uglich Wonderworkers: Monk Paisius (1504), Monk Cassian (1504), Monk Ignatius of Lomsk (1591), Prince Roman (1285), Tsarevich Demetrius (1591); Poshekhonsk Wonderworkers: Monk Sylvester of Obnora (1379), Monk Sebastian (1542), Hieromartyr Adrian (1550), Monk Gennadius of Liubimograd and Kostroma (1565).
Venerable Euphrosyne, princess of Polotsk (1173).
Venerable Paisius, abbot, of Galich (1463).
Martyr Michael “the black-robed” of St. Sabbas’ Monastery (9th c.).
Uncovering of the relics of Virgin-martyrs Eudocia, Daria, Daria, and Mary (2001).
Holy Myrrh-bearer Mary, wife of Cleopas.
Martyr Salonas the Roman (Greek).
Martyr Seleucus (Greek).
Venerable Damiane (King Demetrius) (1157) (Georgia).
St. Ioannicius I, archbishop of Serbia (1270).
The Scripture Readings
Luke 7:17-30 Matins Gospel
17
And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
18
Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.
19
And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
20
When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ”
21
And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
22
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
23
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.
24
When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.
26
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
27
This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’
28
For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29
And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
13
And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.
14
When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,
15
about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.
16
To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’
17
Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.
18
When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed,
19
but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
23
And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
24
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25
These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
26
In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27
for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
28
I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.
29
His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!
30
Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.
31
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32
Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
2 Corinthians 4:6-15 Forerunner
6
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-
10
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11
For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12
So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,
14
knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15
For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Matthew 11:2-15 Forerunner
2
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3
and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
4
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5
The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.
7
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10
For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11
Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14
And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.
15
He who has ears to hear, let him hear!