Holy Prophet Zachariah and Righteous Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Forerunner (1st c.).
Martyrdom of St. Athanasius, abbot, of Brest-Litovsk, by the Latins (1648).
Virgin-martyr Rhais of Alexandria (ca. 308). Martyrs Juventinus and Maximinus, soldiers, at Antioch (361-363). Martyrs Urban, Theodore, Medimnus, and 77 companions, at Nicomedia (370). Hieromartyr Abdas, bishop of Hormidz-Ardashir, and Martyrs Hormizd and Sunin, of Persia (ca. 420). Martyrdom of the Holy Passionbearer Gleb of Russia, in holy baptism David (1015). Martyrs Sarbelus (Thathuil) and his sister Bebaia, of Edessa (98- 138).
New Hieromartyr Alexis (Belkovsky), archbishop of Great Ustiug (1937).
Appearance of Apostle Peter to Emperor Justinian at Athira, near Constantinople (6th c.).
Repose of Priest Hilarion Felea of Romania (1961).
Saturday. [I Cor. 2:6-9; Matt. 22:15-22]
Render unto Caesar the things which
are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are
God’s—render unto each person what is his.
From here comes a law: do not please God in one way alone,
but in whatever way you can and ought to please Him;
direct all of your strength and every means toward serving
God. Having said render unto Caesar the things which
are Caesar’s, the Lord showed that such work is
pleasing to Him. If by the things which are Caesar’s
you understand all routines of earthly life in general
which are necessary and essential, and by the things that
are God’s all routines of the Church established by
God, then from here it turns out that all the paths of our
life are filled with ways for salvation. Just take heed
and use everything, and act everywhere in accordance with
God’s will, as God wants from you—and
salvation for you is at hand. You can set yourself so that
not a single step is taken without a deed pleasing to God,
and consequently, a step toward salvation, for the path of
salvation proceeds along the path of God’s will.
Walk in God’s presence, take heed, discern, and set
immediately without self-pity to that deed which your
conscience shows you at each given moment.