Translation of the relics from Jerusalem to Constantinople of Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen (428). Translation of the relics of the Righteous Nicodemus, Gamaliel, and Abibus, of Jerusalem (415). Blessed Basil of Moscow, fool-for-Christ (1552-1557).
Hieromartyr Stephen, pope of Rome (257), and companions. Blessed Basil of Kubensk (Vologda) (1472). St. Marco of Belavinsk (Vologda) (1492).
New Hieromartyr Platon (Kolegov), hieromonk, of Chasovo (Komi) (1937).
Translation of the relics of Martyrs Dada, Maximus, and Quintilian, at Dorostolum in Moesia (286). New Martyr Theodore of the Dardanelles (1692).
Repose of Hieromonk Peter (Seregin), spiritual father of Pyukhtitsa Convent (Estonia) (1982).
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.