Prophet Habakkuk (Abbacum) (7th c. b.c.).
Martyr Myrope of Chios (251). Sts. John, Andrew, Heraclemon, and Theophilus, hermits, of Egypt (4th c.). St. Jesse (Ise), bishop of Tsilkani in Georgia (6th c.). St. Athanasius “the Resurrected,” recluse of the Kiev Caves, whose relics are in the Near Caves (1176). St. Athanasius, recluse of the Kiev Caves, whose relics are in the Far Caves (1264). St. Stephen-Urosh V, king (1371), and his mother St. Helen, of Serbia.
New Hieromartyrs Danax (Kalashnikov), hieromonk, of Arkhangelskoye (Moscow) and Cosmas (Magda), hieromonk, of Milyatino (Moscow) (1937).
St. Cyril of Philea (1110). St. Solomon, archbishop of Ephesus. St. Ioannicius of Devic (Serbia) (1430).
Repose of Elder Luke “the Guestmaster,” of Valaam Monastery (1965).
Friday. [Tit. 1:15-2:10; Luke 20:19-26]
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be
Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be
God’s. This means that each gets what is his
own. In our times, instead of “the things which be
Caesar’s” we should say, “the things
which are earthly.” Also, earthly things have their
turn, while Godly things have theirs. But everyone has
rushed toward earthly things alone, and they leave the
Godly things behind. That is why Godly things not only are
left out of their proper place—that is, the first
priority—but are completely forgotten. A consequence
of this as if unintentional forgetfulness is that the
Godly is darkened over in one’s consciousness, and
then both its content and foundation become unclear. From
this come weakness of conviction and unsteadiness of
faith; and then alienation from faith, and influence of
the winds of various of teachings. Everyone goes down this
path when they begin to be careless about Godly things;
society takes this path when it begins to ignore what God
requires of it. When Godly things are left in the
background, then emancipation from Godly requirements
begins to set into society, in the intellectual, moral and
aesthetic sense. Secularization (serving the spirit of the
time) occurs of politics, customs, entertainment, and then
of education and all institutions. At the current time,
people do not think, speak, write or even keep Godly
things in mind—not in any of their undertakings. Is
it surprising, given such a mood, that teachings contrary
to the faith find access to society and that society is
inclined toward total unbelief?