Martyr Basiliscus the Soldier, of Comana (308). St. John Vladimir, martyr and ruler of Serbia, whose relics are at Elbasan (1015). Blessed James of Borovichi (Novgorod) (ca. 1540).
Commemoration of the Second Ecumenical Council (381).
New Hieromartyr Maxim (Zhizhilenko), bishop of Serpukhov (1931).
Righteous Melchizedek, king of Salem (ca. 2000 b.c.). Hieromartyrs Donatus, bishop of Thmuis, the priest Macarius, and the deacon Theodore (ca. 316). New Hieromartyr Zachariah, priest of Prusa (1802). New Monk-martyr Paul of Mt. Athos, at Tripolis, the Peloponnese (1818). Martyr Sophia the Healer (Gr. Cal).
Repose of Eldress Macrina of Volos (1995).
Saturday. [Acts 15:35–41; John 10:27–38]
Though ye believe not Me, believe
the works, says the Lord (John 10:38). The works of
the Lord were obvious to all, and He could point to them
openly. They are: the healing of various diseases, the
driving out of demons, power over nature, knowledge of
thoughts of the heart, the prophesying of the future,
power of the word, and dominion over souls. All of these
clearly proved that Jesus Christ was from God, and that
His word was the truth. For us other works were added to
these—a marvellous death, resurrection, ascension,
descent of the Holy Spirit, foundation of the Church,
marvellous spiritual gifts in believers, triumph over
pagans and grace-filled power which to this day has not
ceased to act in the Church of God. All of these are the
works of the Lord. To any unbeliever one can say: if you
do not believe the word, believe these works, which loudly
witness to the Godhood of our Lord Jesus Christ; and
having come to belief, accept His entire truth. But how
did those Jews answer the Lord at that time? They
sought again to take him (John 10:39). What do
today’s unbelievers do? They sit and weave lie onto
lie, in order to “take” not the Lord—for
this is not according to their strength—but to take
those who are simple in faith and cannot unravel their sly
weavings.