Thursday July 23, 2026 / July 10, 2026
8th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
The Placing of the Precious Robe of the Lord at Moscow (1625).
Holy 45 Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia, including Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, Anthony, Alexander, Anicetus, Sisinius, Meneus, and Belerad (Verelad) (319).
Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves (1073).
New Hieromartyrs Alexander, Basil, Peter ans Stephen priests, Gregory and Nestor deacons (1918).
Venerables Eumenes (1920) and Parthenius (1905) of Gortyna.
Venerable Silouan of the Far Caves in Kiev (13th-14th c.).
Martyr Apollonius of Sardis (3rd c.).
Martyrs Bianor and Silvanus of Pisidia (4th c.).
10,000 Fathers of the desert and caves of Scetis martyred by the impious Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria (398).
“Konevits” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Translation of the relics (1609) of St. Basil, bishop of Ryazan (1295).
St. Gregory, bishop of Assos near Ephesus (1150) (Greek).
New Hieromartyr Archpriest Joseph of Damascus and Companions (1860).
Synaxis of All Saints of Vatopedi Monastery, Mt. Athos.
The Scripture Readings
Matthew 27:27-32 Matins Gospel
27
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.
28
And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
29
When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
30
Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
31
And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
32
Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
1 Corinthians 10:28-11:7
28
But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
29
Conscience, I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
30
But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33
just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
1
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2
Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
3
But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
4
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
5
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.
6
For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.
7
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
Matthew 16:24-28
24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
26
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
27
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
28
Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
1 Corinthians 1:18-24 Robe
18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19
For it is written:
20
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
22
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
23
but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Mark 15:16-32 Robe
16
Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.
17
And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,
18
and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
19
Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.
20
And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
21
Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.
22
And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
23
Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
24
And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
25
Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
26
And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27
With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.
28
So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
29
And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
30
save Yourself, and come down from the cross!
31
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
32
Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Galatians 5:22-6:2 St. Anthony
22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
1
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Matthew 4:25-5:12 St. Anthony
25
Great multitudes followed Him-from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
1
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
2
Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.