Apodosis of the Entry into the Temple. Hieromartyr Clement, pope of Rome (101). Hieromartyr Peter, archbishop of Alexandria (311).
St. Peter of Galatia, hermit, near Antioch in Syria (ca. 403).
New Hieromartyr Seraphim (Ostroumov), archbishop of Smolensk (1937).
Great-martyr Catherine of Alexandria, and Martyrs Augusta (Faustina) the Empress, Porphyrius Stratelates, and 200 soldiers (305-313). St. Clement of Ochrid, bishop of Greater Macedonia (916).
Repose of Priest Paul Florensky of Sergiev Posad (1937) and Priest Rostislav Gan in Australia (1975).
Thursday. [I Tim. 6:17-21; Luke 18:31-34]
The Lord told the disciples about His
suffering, but they did not understand anything He was
saying; This saying was hid from them. Later, the
faithful determined not to know any thing, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified (I Cor. 2:2). The time had
not come, they did not understand any of this mystery; but
when the time came—they understood, and taught
everyone, and interpreted for everyone. This happens with
everyone, not only with relation to this mystery, but to
all the other mysteries as well. What is not understood in
the beginning, with time becomes understood; it is as if a
ray of light enters the consciousness and brightens what
was formerly dark. Who elucidates it? The Lord Himself,
the grace of the Spirit that lives in the faithful,
one’s guardian angel—only in no way the person
himself. He is a recipient, and not the cause. On the
other hand, another thing may remain incomprehensible for
one’s whole life—not only for individuals, but
for all of humanity. Man is surrounded by things he does
not understand—some are explained to him in the
course of his life, while others are left until the next
life, where it will be seen. This applies even to minds
enlightened by God. Why is it not revealed here? Because
some things are incomprehensible, so there is no point in
talking about them; others are not told out of
considerations for health— that is, it would be
harmful to know prematurely. Much will become clear in the
other life, but other subjects and other mysteries will be
revealed. For a created mind there is never a surplus of
inscrutable mysteries. The mind rebels against these
bonds: but whether you rebel or not, you cannot sever the
bonds of mystery. Become humble, proud mind, beneath the
strong hand of God—and believe!
Thursday. [I Tim. 6:17-21; Luke 18:31-34]
The Lord told the disciples about His
suffering, but they did not understand anything He was
saying; This saying was hid from them. Later, the
faithful determined not to know any thing, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified (I Cor. 2:2). The time had
not come, they did not understand any of this mystery; but
when the time came—they understood, and taught
everyone, and interpreted for everyone. This happens with
everyone, not only with relation to this mystery, but to
all the other mysteries as well. What is not understood in
the beginning, with time becomes understood; it is as if a
ray of light enters the consciousness and brightens what
was formerly dark. Who elucidates it? The Lord Himself,
the grace of the Spirit that lives in the faithful,
one’s guardian angel—only in no way the person
himself. He is a recipient, and not the cause. On the
other hand, another thing may remain incomprehensible for
one’s whole life—not only for individuals, but
for all of humanity. Man is surrounded by things he does
not understand—some are explained to him in the
course of his life, while others are left until the next
life, where it will be seen. This applies even to minds
enlightened by God. Why is it not revealed here? Because
some things are incomprehensible, so there is no point in
talking about them; others are not told out of
considerations for health— that is, it would be
harmful to know prematurely. Much will become clear in the
other life, but other subjects and other mysteries will be
revealed. For a created mind there is never a surplus of
inscrutable mysteries. The mind rebels against these
bonds: but whether you rebel or not, you cannot sever the
bonds of mystery. Become humble, proud mind, beneath the
strong hand of God—and believe!