Saints of the Day:
Martyrs Adrian and Natalia and 33 companions of Nicomedia. Martyr Adrian at Nicomedia. St. Tithoes ofthe Thebaid, disciple of St. Pachomius the Great. St. Adrian, abbot of Ondrusov (Valaam). Blessed Cyprian of Storozhev, formeroutlaw. St. Adrian, abbot of Poshekhonye (Vologda). St. Ibestion the Confessor, Egyptian ascetic. St. Adrian of Uglich, disciple ofSt. Paisius of Uglich. Finding of the relics of St. Bassian of Alatry Monastery (17th century). (Greek Calendar: Martyrs Atticus andSisinnius.) Commemoration of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Repose of Schema-hieromonkAristocleus of Mt. Athos and Moscow (1918). Miraculous Renewal of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the hands ofRighteous Abbess Rufina in Harbin, Manchuria (1925).
Quote of the Day
“Time passes without stopping, and my body, even during my lifetime, constantly changes and passes on, and the whole world as is seen in its motion, also passes on, as though it were hurrying to its appointed end, like a machine set in motion. Where, then, is constancy? Constancy is that which moves and directs all this to its purpose. The first Cause of all that is complex and created is constant, being Itself not complex, and therefore not passing, but eternal. The souls of angels and men, created after the image of the first Cause, are also constant. Everything else is like a soap bubble. I do not lower creation by these words, but only thus speak of it in comparison with the Creator and beatified souls.”
St. John of Kronstadt
Photo of the Day
Father Jeremy, Abbot Gregory, and Abbot Tryphon, Mount Angel Benedictine Abbey, Mt. Angel, Oregon. I’m here, with the blessing of my bishop, having driven Alexander Bartov, the visiting seminarian from the Saint Petersburg Theological Institute, in Russia, to Mount Angel Seminary. Alexander is attending seminary classes, at the request of his seminary rector, in order to observe an American seminary.
Scripture Readings for the Day:Galatians 6:2-10
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Be Generous and Do Good
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Mark 7:14-24
14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”
17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
A Gentile Shows Her Faith
24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.