Prophet Ezekiel (6th c. b.c.). St. Symeon of Emesa, fool-for-Christ (590), and his fellow faster St. John (ca. 590).
Martyr Victor of Marseilles (3rd c.). Uncovering of the relics of St. Anna, princess of Kashin (Euphrosyne in monasticism) (1649). St. Onuphrius the Silent, of the Kiev Caves and St. Onesimus, recluse, of the Kiev Caves (12th c.-13th c.)
“Armatia” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Hieromartyr Zoticus of Comana in Armenia (204). Martyrs Justus, Matthew, and Eugene, at Rome (305). Hieromartyr Bargabdesian, deacon, at Arbela in Assyria (354). Sts. Paul, bishop, and John, priest, ascetics, near Edessa (5th c.). Sts. Raphael (1640-1645) and Parthenius (1660) of Old Agapia Monastery (Romania). St. Parthenius of Radovizlios, bishop (1777). New Hieromartyrs Simo Banjac and Milan Stojisavljevic, and the latter’s son Martyr Milan, of Glamoc, Serbia (1941-1945). St. Eleutherius of “Dry Hill”.
Repose of Abbess Arsenia (Sebryakova) of the Ust- Medveditsk Convent (1905), Abbot Gerasim of the Chudov Monastery (1911), Blessed Anthony Petrovich Shuvalov, wonderworker of Undor- Simbirsk (1942), and Abbess Euphemia of the Ravanica and St. Petka monasteries (Serbia) (1958).
Wednesday. [I Cor. 13:4-14:5; Matt. 20:1-16]
In the parable about the hirelings, even he who
worked only one hour was rewarded equally to the others by
the master of the house. The hours of the day in this
parable is an image of the course of our life. The
eleventh hour is the final time in this life. The Lord
shows that even those who lived without working for Him up
to that moment can start to work and please Him no less
than others. Therefore, old age is no excuse; let no one
despair, supposing that there is no point in starting to
work. Start, and do not be cowardly; the Lord is merciful;
He will give you all that He gives others, here, according
to the measure of grace, and there, according to the rank
of truth. Just have more fervour, and grieve more
contritely about the carelessness in which almost all of
your life was spent. You will say, the master of the house
called those in the parable. So, let the Lord call me. But
isn’t He calling? Could it really be that you do not
hear the voice of the Lord in the Church, saying, come
unto Me all ye, and the Apostles’ call, as
though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God (II Cor.
5:20).
Thursday. [I Cor. 14:6-19; Matt. 20:17-28]
Christianity fully satisfies our striving for
superiority—but how? Through a method totally
opposed to the one used in the world. Do you want to be
first? Be a servant to everyone; that is, be the last
amongst them, and this is just as essential as it is to
attune your life and your disposition according to the
example of Christ the Lord. The Lord says, the Son of
Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and
to give his life a ransom for many. The Lord
ministers, even washes the feet of His disciples; there is
no need, therefore, to be ashamed of ministering to
someone. Minister however, and with whatever, you can;
there are opportunities every step of the way: feed one
who is hungry, clothe one who is naked, bring a stranger
into your home, visit one who is sick and even tend to
him, and do not refuse all other help to those who ask it.
Serve not the body only, but also the soul: give
understanding, advice, point out a good book, console,
support. A word is also a powerful means to help; a soul
goes out from it, and helps another by joining with
him.