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| 9th Week after Pentecost. Tone 7. |  Fast-free period.
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Apostle Aquila of the Seventy (1st c.), and St. Priscilla (1st c.)
Martyr Justus, at Rome (1st c.). St. Onesimus, monk and wonderworker, of Magnesia (ca. 284-305). St. Ellius (Hellius) of Egypt (4th c.). St. Stephen, founder of Makhrishche Monastery (Vologda) (1406). St. Nicodemus of Mt. Athos, spiritual writer (1809). New Martyr John of Merv (Turkmenistan).
St. Heraclius, patriarch of Alexandria (246). St. Marcellinus, priest, of Utrecht (8th c.). St. Joseph the Confessor, archbishop of Thessalonica (832). St. Longinus, hieroschemamonk of Svyatogorsk Monastery (1882). Uncovering of the relics of St. Theophilus, fool-for-Christ, of Kiev (1993).
Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse
Tuesday. [I Cor. 12:12-26; Matt. 18:18-22; 19:1-2, 13-15]
Wanting to know how many times one should forgive his brother, Saint Peter asked with the suggestion: forgive till seven times? Saying this, he thought that he chose the greatest amount. How short is human patience! The Lord, applying His longsuffering to our infirmities, determined, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but Until seventy times seven. This is the same as saying: always forgive and do not think about not forgiving. All-forgivingness shall be the distinctive feature of a Christian spirit, as all-forgivingness is the source and constant support of our life in the Lord, from God Himself. Customary forgiving everyone of everything is the outer clothing of Christian love, which according to the Epistle, suffereth long, and is kind, is not easily provoked, beareth all things (I Cor. 13:4-7). It is the most faithful guarantee of forgiveness at the last judgment; for if we forgive, our heavenly Father will also forgive us (Matt. 6:14). In such a manner, if you want to go to heaven—forgive everyone, sincerely, from the bottom of your heart, so that not even a shadow of hostility remains.
Monday. [I Cor. 11:31-12:1; Matt. 18:1-11]
Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. The structure of a child’s heart is a model for all. Children, before egotistical strivings have come out in them, are a model for imitation. What do we see In children? Complete faith, which does not reason; undebating obedience; sincere love; lack of worry and peace under their parents’ roof; liveliness and freshness of life, with activeness and a desire to learn and become more perfect. But the Saviour particularly emphasizes one of their virtues—humility: Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. For as soon as there is true humility, all of the virtues are there. It is revealed perfectly when the other virtues have already bloomed in the heart and reach maturity; it is their crown and protection. This is the mystery of spiritual life in our Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever is higher is more humble, because he more clearly and tangibly sees that it is not he who labours successfully, but the grace which is in him; and this is the measure of the age of Christ’s fulfilment. For the main thing in Christ Jesus is that He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death.