Hieromartyr Blaise, bishop of Sebaste (ca. 316). St. Vsevolod (in holy baptism Gabriel), prince and wonderworker of Pskov (1138). St. Demetrius, founder of Priluki Monastery (Vologda) (1392).
St. Theodora, wife of Emperor Theophilus the Iconoclast (ca. 867).
Hieromartyr Lucius of Adrianople (348). St. Caedmon, monk, of Whitby, hymnographer (ca. 680). St. Gobnait, abbess of Ballyvourney, Cork (Ireland) (7th c.). St. Benedict of Aniane, monastic reformer (821). New Martyr George of Kratovo, at Sofia (1515).
Repose of Archbishop Simon of Shanghai and Peking (1933).
Sunday of the Prodigal Son (34th). [I Cor. 6:12–20;
Luke 15:11–32]
The week of the prodigal speaks of so much to us! It
speaks about our peace and satisfaction in the house of
the heavenly Father, about our mad departure from the
Father’s guardianship to unbridled freedom, about
the richness of the heritage given us despite our
disobedience, about its reckless waste on all sorts of
indecencies, and about our utter impoverishment as a
result. But then it talks also about how one recovers his
senses, and, coming to himself, decides to return to his
greatly merciful Father. It talks about how he returns,
how he is received lovingly, and is restored to his first
state. Who will not find this lesson profitable? If you
abide in your father’s house, do not strive for
freedom. You see how a similar experience ended! If you
have run away and are squandering all, end this quickly.
If you have already squandered everything and are living
in poverty, decide quickly to return—and then,
return. There every indulgence, and all the former love
and satisfaction, await you. This last step is the most
necessary one. But there is no point in enlarging upon
this. All has been said concisely and clearly. Come to
your senses, decide to return, arise and hurry to the
Father. His embrace is open and ready to receive you.