Wednesday September 9, 2026 / August 27, 2026
15th Week after Pentecost. Tone five.
Fast. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)1Venerable Poemen the Great (450).
New Hieromartyr Stephen Nemkov, and those with him, of Nizhni-Novgorod (1918).
New Hieromartyrs Paul, priest (1918).
New Hieromartyrs John, John priest and Hieromartyr Methodius (1937).
New Hieromartyr Aleksander, priest (1939).
New Hieromartyr Vladimir, priest (1940).
St. Demetrius confessor, priest (1952).
Venerables Pimen, Kuksha, and Nicon of the Kiev Caves (1114).
St. Hosius (Osia) the Confessor, bishop of Cordova (4th c.).
St. Liberius, pope of Rome (366).
Venerable Poemen of Palestine (605).
Martyr Anthusa.
Venerable Sabbas of Benephali.
Great-martyr Phanurius the Newly Appeared of Rhodes (Greek).
Translation of the relics of Sts. Theognostus, Cyprian, and Photius, metropolitans of Moscow (1479).
St. Caesarius, bishop of Aries (543) (Celtic & British).
Martyr-hermit Decuman of Watchet.
Martyr Djan Darada, the Ethiopian eunuch of Queen Candace.
The Scripture Readings
15
Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.
16
Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
17
And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
18
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19
What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20
Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Mark 6:7-13
7
And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
8
He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts-
9
but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
10
Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.
11
And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city
12
So they went out and preached that people should repent.
13
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
Galatians 5:22-6:2 St. Poemen
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. Poemen
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.