Conception of Saint John the Forerunner
Saints of the Day: The Conception of the Honorable, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John [Gal 4:22-31; Lk 1:5-25]. Martyrs Andrew, John, Peter and Antoninus of Syracuse, martyred in Africa. Virgin Martyr Irais (Rhais) of Alexandria. Saints Xanthippa and Polyxena, disciples of the Apostles, who died in Spain. New-Martyr Nicholas Pantopolos at Constantinople. New-Martyr John of Epirus. New-Martyr Archimandrite Arsenius (1937). Repose of Abbess Eupraxia of Old Ladoga Convent (1823).
Quote of the Day
” At the appearance of thoughts that arouse you to judge your neighbor for some offense that he has done you, when the storm of thoughts is blown to gale force and rushes for revenge, then compare your state of sorrow with the former state of sorrow of the Saviour of the world. He, the Angel of Great Counsel, the Son of God Who was without sin, magnanimously endured the very greatest sorrows; how much more so, then, must we not endure grievous circumstances, we who are sinful people and deserving of chastisement. We must also further condemn ourselves. In this case, with the weapon of self-condemnation we can do battle with the provoker of our soul, the invisible Philistine who steals the God-like ark of our soul. On the other hand, we should regard the person who is heaping offenses on us as our benefactor; he is nothing but an instrument with which God constructs our salvation.”
Elder Leonid of Optina
“A Disciple’s Questions and the Replies”
Photo of the Day
Father Moses, laying the brick pathways.
Scripture Readings for the Day
Philippians 2:24-30
24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
Epaphroditus Praised
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
Luke 6:46-7:1
Build on the Rock46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 7
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.