Saturday, September 12 / August 30 (Church Calendar)

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

Saints of the Day

August 30 / September 12. Saints Alexander, John and Paul the New, Patriarch of Constantinople. Repose of St. Alexander, abbotof Svir. Translation of the Relics of St. Alexander Nevsky. St. Christopher of Palestine. St. Fantinus of Calabria. Opening of theRelics of St. Daniel, prince of Moscow. Synaxis of the Serbian hierarchs: Saints Sabbas I, Sabbas II, Arsenius I, Eustathius I, James, Nicodemus and Daniel, Archbishops. Saints Ioannicius II, Ephraim II, Spyridon, Macarius, Gabriel I, patriarchs; and St.Gregory, Bishop of St. Bryaene of Nisibis. St. Eulalius, Bishop of Caesarea. (Greek Calendar Sixteen Monk-martyrs of Thebes. Six Martyrs of Melitene. St. Sarmata of the Paradise. Hieromartyr Felix and Martyrs Fortunatus, Septiminus and Januarius.)

Photo of the Day

This is Hammie, our beloved Norwegian Forest Cat. He is the official greeter of the monastery, and defender of the ramparts from all dogs! He attacks even large dogs, but is very loving and gentle with children. He is a very important part of our monastic community, as everyone who visits soon realizes.

Quote of the Day

For a Christian there exists no yardstick of any kind, beyond which he has no need to grow spiritually. His yardstick is infinite perfection, together with infinitely increasing blessedness, because we affirm that virtue and blessedness are one. “The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Eph. 4:13) – this is the measure of a Christian.
Archbishop Hilarion Troitsky
“The Unity of Christ’s Ideal”

Scripture Readings for the Day

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

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

Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees

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.