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August 5
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Wednesday |
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August 18
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9th Week after Pentecost.
Tone 7.
Успенский пост. |
 Monastic rule: xerophagy (bread, uncooked fruits and vegetables).
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Forefeast of the Transfiguration. 
Martyr Eusignius of Antioch (362).
Hieromartyrs Antherus (236) and Fabian (250), popes of Rome. Martyr Pontius, at Cimella in Gaul (ca. 257). Righteous Nonna, mother of St. Gregory the Theologian (374). Monk-martyr Job the Gorge-dweller, on the Mezen River (Solovki) (1628). Martyrs Cantidius, Cantidian, and Sibelius, of Egypt (4th c.).
New Martyrs Eudocia Sheikova, Daria Timagina, Daria Ulybina, and Maria of Diveyevo, novices, at Puzo (1919). New Hieromartyr Simon (Shleyev), bishop of Ufa (1921).
Martyr Oswald, king of Northumbria (642). St. Euthymius, patriarch of Constantinople (917). New Martyr Christos of Preveza, at Kos (1668). St. Eugenius, monk, of Anatolia (1682). Uncovering of the relics of St. Arsenius the New, of Paros (1967).
Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse
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).
Thursday. [I Cor. 14:6-19; Matt. 20:17-28]
Christianity fully satisfies our striving for superiority—but how? Through a method totally opposed to the one used in the world. Do you want to be first? Be a servant to everyone; that is, be the last amongst them, and this is just as essential as it is to attune your life and your disposition according to the example of Christ the Lord. The Lord says, the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. The Lord ministers, even washes the feet of His disciples; there is no need, therefore, to be ashamed of ministering to someone. Minister however, and with whatever, you can; there are opportunities every step of the way: feed one who is hungry, clothe one who is naked, bring a stranger into your home, visit one who is sick and even tend to him, and do not refuse all other help to those who ask it. Serve not the body only, but also the soul: give understanding, advice, point out a good book, console, support. A word is also a powerful means to help; a soul goes out from it, and helps another by joining with him.
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