Prophet Haggai (Aggaeus) (500 b.c.).
Martyr Marinus of Rome (283). Blessed Empress Theophania, wife of Byzantine Emperor Leo the Wise (893). St. Sophia, nun (in the world Solomonia), wife of Grand Duke Basil III of Moscow (1542).
New Hieromartyr Vladimir Alexeyev, priest, of Okhansk (1918). New Hieromartyr Arcadius (Ostalsky), bishop of Bezhetsk (1937).
St. Memnon, archbishop of Ephesus (ca. 440). St. Modestus II, patriarch of Jerusalem (634). St. Nicholas Chrysoberges, patriarch of Constantinople (995).
Saturday. [Heb. 5:1-8; Luke 14:1-11]
When you are bidden somewhere, do not
sit in the highest place. In sum: always and everywhere,
seek the lowliest place. In this simple rule is briefly
expressed the entire rich substance of humility. Take this
rule, sit down and examine all possible cases in your
life, and in advance choose the lowliest place in each of
them. This will be the practice of humility, which will
gradually move from external deeds to the inner, and will
form a sediment of humility there as a foundation. Time
will make this seed to grow amidst this practice, and
humility will at last fill all of your soul and body, and
all outer affairs. What will happen? Moral greatness will
shine on your brow and attract universal respect; and the
words will be fulfilled in you: Whosoever exalteth
himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself
shall be exalted. However, do not have this as your
intention while practicing humility, but rather humility
itself. It in and of itself brings a blessed good
disposition to the soul. Where humility comes all inner
troubles cease and all external adversities do not produce
startling impressions. Just as a wave which meets no
impediment spills into a boundless sea without noise or
crash, so outer and inner sorrows do not harm a humble
soul, but are carried as though on the surface, without
leaving a trace. This is the worldly advantage, so to
speak, of a humble person. What light from above illumines
him, what consolations are sent, what breadth of free
action is revealed! Truly, only humility contains it
all…