Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!
Saints of the Day
October26 / November 8. Holy and Glorious Great-martyr Demetrius the myrrh-gusher of Thessalonica. Commemoration of theGreat Earthquake at Constantinople in 740 A.D. St. Athanasius of Medikion Monastery. Martyr Ioasaph, monk of Mt. Athos,disciple of St. Niphon of Constantinople. St. Demetrius of Barsabov in Bulgaria. St. Theophilus of the Kiev Caves, Bishop ofNovgorod. St. Anthony, Bishop of Vologda. (Greek Calendar Martyrs Artemidorus and Basil. Martyr Leptina. Martyr Glycon.)Repose of Ignatius the Bulgarian of Mt. Athos (1927)
Photo of the Day
Vashon Island is seen in the distance, from the ferry line in Tacoma, Washington. It is good to be back in the monastery, after my long trip from the Pastoral Conference in San Francisco, California. (Click to enlarge.)
Quote of the Day
“…There is nothing more dangerous than self-indulgence. It prepares the ground for all the vices because it chases out from the soul the fear of God.”
Abba Agathon
“Abba Dorotheos of Gaza; Discourses and Sayings”
Scripture Readings for the Day
Galatians 6:11-18
Glory Only in the Cross
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Blessing and a Plea
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'”