The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn’t non-denominational – it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!
Saturday, July 11 / June 28 (Church Calendar)
Saints of the Day
June 28 / July 11. Saints Sergius and Herman, abbots of Valaam. Translation of the Relics of the Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenaries Cyrus and John. St. Paul the Physician of Corinth. St. Xenophon, abbot of Robeika (Novgorod). (Greek Calendar: Martyr Pappias. Martyr Macedonius. St. Vulkian, monk, and St. Moses the Anchorite. Two children crucified for Christ. Hieromartyr Donatus of Libya. Three Martyrs of Galatia. 70 Martyrs of Scythopolis. St. Magnus, monk who reposed while praying to the Lord. Blessed Sergius the Magistrate, founder of the Monastery of the Mother of God called Nikitiatus in Nicomedia.) Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Of the Three Hands..
Photo of the Day
Don’t forget the upcoming Monastery Pilgrimage, August 11-14.
Quote of the Day
The ever-memorable Fathers laid down that the way to humility, and its foundation, is bodily toil; but I would say obedience and honesty of heart, because they are naturally opposed to self-esteem. St. John Climacus
“The Ladder of Divine Ascent” (Step 25)
Scripture Readings for the Day
Romans 8:14-21
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
From Suffering to Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Matthew 9:9-13
Matthew the Tax Collector
9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”