Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus, in Syria (290-303).
Hieromartyrs Julian, presbyter, Caesarius, deacon, Eusebius, presbyter, and Martyr Felix, at Terracina (268). Virgin-martyr Pelagia of Tarsus in Asia Minor (287). Hieromartyr Polychronius, priest, of Gamphanitus (4th c.). St. Sergius the Obedient, of the Kiev Caves (13th c.). St. Sergius, founder of Nurma Monastery (Vologda), disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1412). Uncovering of the relics of St. Martinian, abbot, of Belozersk (White Lake) (1514). St. Jonah, bishop of Hankou, Manchuria (1925).
New Hieromartyr Valentine Sventsitsky, archpriest, of Moscow (1931).
St. Mark, pope of Rome (336). St. Dubtach, bishop of Armagh (Ireland) (513). Martyr Osyth, princess of Chich (England) (ca. 700). St. Joseph, elder and wonderworker, of Khevi, Georgia (1763). St. John the Hermit and 98 Fathers, of Crete, St. Leontius the governor.
Thursday. [Phil. 3:1-8; Luke 7:17-30]
Saint John the Forerunner sends his
disciples to ask the Lord: is He the One That should come?
Or should they look for another? He did not ask this for
himself but for his disciples, for he knew precisely who
Jesus Christ was, being informed about this from heaven.
The disciples sought an answer to this question not out of
empty inquisitiveness, but out of a sincere desire to know
the truth. To such as these there is no need to say much;
the Lord does not speak, only indicates what had been
accomplished by Him at that time. Divine deeds witnessed
to His divinity. It was so obvious, that the questioners
no longer questioned. This is the way it always is. The
power of God lives in the Church; a sincere seeker of the
truth immediately feels it and is sure of this truth. This
sureness through experience puts an end to all questions
and completely soothes. He who does not want to believe,
and, having lost his faith, begins to seek in the Church
and Christianity not the foundations of faith, but grounds
to justify his unbelief, will find no indications
satisfactory. He considers his unbelief well-grounded,
although its foundations are petty and insignificant. His
heart wants this—that is why it is all
tolerable.