Martyrs Justin the Philosopher, and those with him at Rome: Chariton, Charita, Euelpistus, Hierax, Paeon, and Valerian (Liberianus) (166). St. Dionysius of Glushitsa (Vologda), monastic founder (1437). Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt (Glorification 1990)
St. Agapitus, unmercenary physician, of the Kiev Caves (11th c.). St. Justin (Popovic), archimandrite, of Chelije in Serbia (1978). Sts. Shio the New, David, Gabriel, and Paul, of Gareji, Georgia (1696-1700).
Martyr Thespesius of Cappadocia (230). Martyr Firmus of Magus (284-303). St. Mertius the Farmer, of Myra in Lycia (912).
Repose of Metropolitan Tryphon (Turkestanov) of Dmitrov (1934) and Elder Philaret of Kapsala, Mt. Athos (1975).
Friday. [Acts 27:1–44; John 17:18–26]
As thou, Father, art in me, and I in
Thee, that they also may be one in us...I in them, and
thou in Me (John 17:21–23). This is the golden
chain tying us with Divinity! We have fallen
away—the Mediator has arisen, Who is one with God
the Father, and has become one with us. Becoming one with
Him, we are united in Him, and through Him with God the
Father. Glory to Thy boundless mercy toward us, O
Three-Hypostatic God, Who was well-pleased to establish
for us such a bright path to deification! The Lord raises
us up high; do not refuse His good gift. Confess His mercy
and praise His unspeakable goodness! You think it humble
to refuse such a height, but you are actually revealing
crude ingratitude and carelessness toward a lofty gift.
Know, that there is no middle ground: it is either all or
nothing. If you do not want this height, you will remain
outside in bitter abasement, both temporally and
eternally.