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!
Saints of the Day
July 31 / August 13. Forefeast of the Procession of the Precious and Life-giving Cross of the Lord. Righteous Eudocimus of Cappadocia {Gal 5:22-6:2; Matt 11:27-30]. Righteous Joseph of Arimathea. Martyr Julitta at Caesarea. St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre. (Greek Calendar: Consecration of the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos of Blachernae. Twelve Martyrs of Rome. Translation of the Relics of Apostle Philip to Cyprus.) Repose of Elder Gerasim the Younger of Kaluga’s St. Sergius Skete (1918).
Photo of the Day
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The new abbot’s office of the monastery, painted in Norwegian Gold and Norwegian Red. I know this is a bit of Norwegian triumphalism, but you’ll just have to forgive me.
Quote of the Day
“It is impossible to live without natural desires arising in us, but it is quite possible to avoid giving in to them.”
Dorotheos of Gaza
Scripture Readings for the Day
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Comfort in Suffering
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Matthew 21:43-46
43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.