Saturday September 5, 2026 / August 23, 2026
14th Week after Pentecost. Tone four.
Apodosis of the Dormition.
Martyr Lupus (306), slave of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica.
New Hieromartyrs Ephraim, bishop of Selenginsk (1918) and Archpriest John Vostorgov of Moscow (1918) and Martyr Nicholas.
New Hieromartyrs Paul and John priests (1937).
Hieromartyr Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons (202).
Venerables Eutychius (540) and Florentius (547) of Nursia.
St. Callinicus, patriarch of Constantinople (705).
Holy Martyr Ebba the Younger, abbess of Coldingham, Northumbria, and her companions (870) (Celtic & British).
38 Martyrs of Thrace (Greek).
Venerable Nicholas the Sicilian, who struggled on Mt. Neotaka in Euboea (Greek).
Hieromartyr Pothinus, bishop of Lyons (177).
Martyr Victor of Marseilles (3rd c.).
Martyr Tydfil of Merthyr Tydfil.
The Scripture Readings
1
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2
Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
3
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4
For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.
5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
Matthew 23:1-12
1
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,
2
saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
3
Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5
But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6
They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7
greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
8
But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
9
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10
And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
11
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Philippians 2:5-11 Theotokos
5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28 Theotokos
38
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.
27
And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”
28
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”