Great-martyr Menas of Egypt (304). Martyrs Victor and Stephanida, at Damascus (160). Martyr Vincent of Spain (304). St. Theodore the Confessor, abbot, of the Studion (826). Blessed Maximus of Moscow, fool-for-Christ (1433).
Great-martyr Stephen-Urosh III of Decani (1331). St. Martyrius, founder of Zelenets Monastery (Novgorod) (1603).
Myrrh-streaming “Montreal” Iveron Icon of the Theotokos (1982).
Martyr Drakonas of Arauraka in Armenia (4th c.). St. Martin the Merciful, bishop of Tours (397). St. Bartholomew the Younger, of Rossano, Calabria (ca. 1054). St. Nicodemus the Younger, of Beroea in Macedonia (ca. 1305). Blessed Euthymius and Nestor, of Decani (14th c.). Synaxis of the Saints of Decani. St. Neophytus and St. Stephen Urosica, of Serbia (14th c.). St. Milica, princess of Serbia (Eugenia in schema) (1405).
Repose of Metropolitan Platon (Levshin) of Moscow (1812).
Tuesday. [II Thess. 1:10-2:2; Luke 12:42-48]
The parable about the steward shows how
a Christian should behave with relation to worldly things.
A steward diligently does his work, but in his heart he is
not attached to anything, he is free from all bonds, he
relates to everything outwardly. So also must a Christian
be in relation to all worldly things. But is this
possible? It is possible. As there exists outward piety
without inner piety, so worldliness which is only outward
is possible without inner bonds. But in such a case, will
everything around us turn into a single lifeless form,
emitting coldness like a marble statue? No; in the midst
of worldly things another life will develop which is more
attractive than the fullest worldliness. Worldly things,
being worldly things, truly will remain as the form, while
that which warms the heart will start to proceed from
another source, and whosoever drinketh from this source
will no longer thirst. But then, is it better to drop
everything? Why? Even one who outwardly drops everything
can still be attached in his heart, and one who does not
outwardly drop everything can be free from bonds. Of
course it is more convenient for one who outwardly
renounces everything to control his heart. Choose what is
more convenient for you; just be disposed as the Lord
commands.