Prophet Samuel (11th c. b.c.).
Hieromartyr Philip, bishop of Heraclea, and with him Martyrs Severus, Memnon, and 37 soldiers, at Plovdiv in Thrace (304).
Martyr Lucius the Senator, of Cyprus (ca. 310). Martyrs Heliodorus and Dosa (Dausa), in Persia (380). Martyr Oswin, king of Deira (651). St. Philibert of Jumieges (Gaul) (685). St. Hierotheus, first bishop and enlightener of Hungary (10th c.). St. Stephen I, king of Hungary (1038). New Martyr Theocharis of Neopolis in Asia Minor (1740).
Repose of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) of Platina, California (1982), and Archimandrite Spyridon (Lukich) of Kiev ( (1991).
Monday. [II Cor. 5:10-15; Mark 1:9-15]
The Lord began His sermon thus: The
time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe the Gospel. At the end of the
ages it will also be said: the time is fulfilled, the
kingdom is at hand; but this statement will not be
followed by repent ye, and believe but “come
out to the judgment.” The time for repentance and
labours of self-improvement is ended; let everyone give an
account of what good or evil things he did in his body.
And so, while there is time, hurry to use this time unto
your salvation. The Father’s embrace is open for the
acceptance of all who come with a sincere feeling of
contrition about the past, and with a desire to serve God
henceforth by zealous fulfillment of His holy
commandments. For each of us the end of this age is death:
it is the door to the other life. Look into it more often
and determine for yourself more truly: what then? And
having determined this without pitying yourself, begin
laboring to prepare what is not ready, to enter the place
where joy is unending. Labor to push aside all that could
give the servants of outer darkness the right to prevail
over us and carry us away to their realm, from whence
there will no longer be a way out.