St. Maximus the Confessor (662). Martyr Neophytus of Nicaea (303-305). Martyrs Eugene, Candidus, Valerian, and Aquila, at Trebizond (3rd c.-4th c.). St. Maximus the Greek, monk, of Russia (1556).
Virgin-martyr Agnes of Rome (ca. 305). Martyr Anastasius, disciple of St. Maximus the Confessor (662). St. Timon, monk, of Nadeyev and Kostroma (1840).
“Paramythia” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (807), at Vatopedi (Mt. Athos).
Hieromartyrs Fructuosus, bishop of Catalan (Spain), and with him deacons Augurius and Eulogius (259). St. Zosimas, bishop of Syracuse (662). Synaxis of the Church of Holy Peace by the Sea, Constantinople.
Monday (33rd). [I Pet. 2:21–3:9; Mark
12:13–17]
The Apostle now points out to us the hidden
man of the heart (I Pet. 3:4) as the object of
our most careful concern and care. We are to adorn
ourselves through the formation of this man within
ourselves. What is this hidden man of the heart? It is
that man which forms in the heart when only good
dispositions and feelings come to dwell therein. Examine
these dispositions and feelings, and you will see the face
of the man hidden in the heart. Here are those
dispositions! As His divine power hath given unto us
all things that pertain unto life and godliness (II
Pet. 1:3), and on your part, giving all diligence,
writes Saint Peter, add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to
temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to
godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness
love (II Pet. 1:5–7). In a similar fashion Saint
Paul lists the inner good dispositions of the Christian
heart: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance (Gal. 5:22–23). Also: Put on
therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels
of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering ... and above all these things put on love,
which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts (Col. 3:12–15). Bring
together all of these goods into one spiritual body with
its various members, and you will see the divinely
beautiful face of the hidden man of the heart. You must
fervently establish the same in your own heart.