Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Pochaev” (1675). Martyrs Trophimus, Theophilus, and 13 others, in Lycia (284-305). Glorification of St. Theodore Ushakov, admiral of the Russian Navy (Glorification 2001).
Hieromartyr Apollinarius, first bishop of Ravenna (ca. 75).
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Joy of All Who Sorrow” (with coins) of St. Petersburg (1888).
Righteous Anna (Hannah), mother of the Prophet Samuel (1100 b.c.). Martyr Apollonius, at Rome (183). Repose of St. John Cassian the Roman, abbot, of Marseilles (435). St. Anna of Leucadia (919). Commemoration of the Miraculous Appearance of the Mother of God at Pochaev, which saved the monastery from the assault of the Tatars and Turks (1675). St. Pelagia, nun, of Tinos (1834). St. John (Iacob) of Neamts, the Chozebite (1960). 250 martyrs killed by Bulgarians (802-811).
Wednesday. [I Cor. 13:4-14:5; Matt. 20:1-16]
In the parable about the hirelings, even he who
worked only one hour was rewarded equally to the others by
the master of the house. The hours of the day in this
parable is an image of the course of our life. The
eleventh hour is the final time in this life. The Lord
shows that even those who lived without working for Him up
to that moment can start to work and please Him no less
than others. Therefore, old age is no excuse; let no one
despair, supposing that there is no point in starting to
work. Start, and do not be cowardly; the Lord is merciful;
He will give you all that He gives others, here, according
to the measure of grace, and there, according to the rank
of truth. Just have more fervour, and grieve more
contritely about the carelessness in which almost all of
your life was spent. You will say, the master of the house
called those in the parable. So, let the Lord call me. But
isn’t He calling? Could it really be that you do not
hear the voice of the Lord in the Church, saying, come
unto Me all ye, and the Apostles’ call, as
though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God (II Cor.
5:20).